,                   LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

Theological    Seminar 

y. 

PRINCETON,    N.J. 

Case,   -M-r-r!;oi:  ,. 

( 

Sneff,                                         ^ 

Book, 1^^. 

...•,„„.„.{ 

^octets 


OF 


nrQUZRT     ON    lOISSIOlffS 


AKI) 


THE   STATE   OF  RELIGION. 


1197 


t 


MEMOIRS 


OF  THE 

Rev.  ELEAZArSvHEELOCK,  D.  D. 

Founder  and  President 

OF 

DARTMOUTH  COLLEGE 

AND 

MOOR'S  CHARITY  SCHOOL  ; 

WITH  A  SUMMARY  HISTORY  • 

OF  THE 

COLLEGE   AND   SCHOOL. 

TO  WHICH  ARE  ADDED, 

COPIOUS  EXTRACTS  FROM  DR.  WHEELOCK'S 
CORRESPONDENCE. 


By  DAVID  M'CLURE,  D.  D.,    S.  H.  S. 

Pastor  of  a  Church  in  East  Windsor,  Con. 

AND 

ELIJAH  PARISH,  D.  D. 

Pastor  of  the  Church  m  Byfieid,  Mass. 


NEWBURYPORT  : 

PUBLISHED  BY  EDWARD  LITTLE  &  CO.  AND  SOLD 

AT  THEIR  BOOKSTORE,  MARKET-SQUARE. 


C.  NoRRis  &  Co.  Printers, 
1811. 


PREFACE. 

TO  be  useful,  Biography  should  be- 
stow her  commendations  only  on  those, 
who  are  wise  and  good.  The  pages,  which 
in  strains  of  panegyric,  celebrate  the  crimes 
of  Conquerors,  who  are  spreadhig  car- 
nage and  misery  through  the  nations, 
kindle  the  sparks  of  a  similar  ambition, 
and  inflame  the  most  malignant  passions 
in   the   breast  ol    the    Reader. 

To  preserve  from  oblivion  events  and 
labors,  which  are  deemed  beneficial  to  so- 
ciety is  the  design  of  this  volume.  From 
early  life  cherishing  the  most  cordial  affec- 
tion and  profound  veneration  for  Doctor 
Wheelock,  we  could  not  refuse  our  fee- 
ble aid  to  make  him  known  to  others. 
More  conscious  of  the  inconveniences  and 
embarrassments,  under  which  the  subse- 
quent pages  were  written,  we  are  not  less 


IV  PREFACE. 

affected  than  others  with  their  defects  and 
imjjerfections.  RecoiUng  from  criticism, 
we  console  ourselves  with  the  sincerity  and 
disinterestedness  of  our  design.  An  aver- 
sion to  apologies  forbids  us  to  say  more. 
Should  one  person  ^by  the  perusal  of  these 
pages  be  excited  to  cherish  the  spirit  and 
imitate  the  example  of  Dk.  Wheelock  ; 
should  one  person  be  made  wiser,  better^ 
or  happier,  we  should  enjoy  a  rich  re- 
ward. 

The  late  period  of  publishing  this  Bi- 
ograj>hy  may  not  be  less  instructive  to  the 
Reader,  or  less  honorable  to  the  Subject. 
Some  persons  charm  and  dazzle  their 
friends  while  they  live  ;  at  death  they  are 
depL/red  ;  biograpliic  sketches  are  publish- 
ed ;  their  lives  are  read  and  forgotten* 
The  excellencies  of  Dju  Wheelock  were 
of  another  description.  He  will  be  tender- 
ly le  ciembered  wliile  any  are  alive,  who 
ever  knew  him  ;  his  services  will  be  grate- 
fully recollected   while  civilization,  science^ 


PREFACE.  V 

and  religion,  are  dear  to  man.  The  pres- 
ent state  of  the  public  mind  seems  to  invite 
this  kind  of  publication.  Within  a  few 
3^ears  "  a  mighty  armj  "  in  Europe  and  A- 
merica,  have  risen  in  the  spirit  of  Dr.- 
Wheelock,  to  spread  the  gospel  among 
the  heathen.  The  ministers  of  religion 
by  their  influence,  their  writings,  their 
labors,  have  done  much  in  the  sacred 
cause.  Merchants  and  other  opulent 
friends  to  the  cause  of  the  Redeemer, 
have  like  Princes  broudit  their  silver 
and  gold  to  the  treasury  of  the  Lord. 
Missionary  Societies  are  incorporated ; 
Colleges,  and  Theological  Seminaries  are 
founded  ;  every  considerable  section  of  the 
globe  is  noAV  visited  by  the  Heralds  of  the 
Gospel ;  the  darkest  abodes  of  superstition 
and  idolatry  are  enlightened  b}^  the  beams 
of  gospel  grace.  In  such  a  day  the  Life  of 
Dr.  Wheelock  appears,  to  encourage 
congenial  spirits,  to  give  an  additional  im- 
pulse  to  the  pubhc  mind. 


VI  PREFACE. 

A  great  part  of  the  materials  for  this 
work  were  furnished  by  Dr.  John  Whee- 
LOCK,  the  successor  of  his  Father  in  the 
Presideiicy  of  the  College.  No  doubts 
concerning  their  authenticity  can  be  enter- 
tained. The  frontispiece  was  procured  at 
his  expence.  The  collection  of  letters  in 
the  Appendix  may  not  be  the  least  instruc- 
tive, or  entertaining  part  of  the  volume. 
Those  of  Dr.  Wheelock  exhibit  his  ami- 
able temper  and  christian  spirit  without 
any  disguise  or  coloring.  The  candid  Rea- 
der will  recollect,  that  they  were  generally 
written  in  a  crowd  of  business,  in  great 
haste,  and  without  any  idea  of  their  pub- 
lication. That  these  Memoirs  may  prove 
favorable  to  the  interests  of  science  and 
religion,  is  the  devout  wish  and  prayer  of 

the  Compilers. 

DAVID  M'CLURE. 

ELIJAH  PARISH. 


CONTENTS. 


SECTION  I. 

Hi3  ancestors — education — settleirient  at  Lebanon — itinerations— 
his  compassion  towards  the  Indians.   -------     page  9 

SECTION  II. 

Sampson  Occuro — Mr.  Wheelock's  motives  in  undertaking  his  Indian 
School — plan  of  a  School.      -----------16 

SECTION  III. 

The  progress  of  the  Indian  School — benefactions — Mr.  Moor — war 
with  France — Sir  William  Joh'.ison — Joseph  Brant — Mr.  C.  J. 
Smith — description  of  savage  life — regulation  and  mstruction  of 
the  School. ---- 23 

SECTION  IV. 

Board  of  Correspondents  elected — donations  from  Great  Britain- 
School  masters — Mr.  Kirkland's  mission  to  the  Senecas — Mr. 
Cecum.     ---.-------------34. 

SECTION  V. 

Messrs.  Whitaker  and  Occum's  mission  to  Great  Britain — their  suc- 
cess-—Lord  Dartmouth's  patronage — board  of  Trustees  in  Eng- 
land— proposals  for  removing  the  College-^ Charter  for  a  College 
granted — Dr.  Wheelock's  pastoral  relation  dissolved.    -    -    -    44 

SECTION  VI. 
Removal  to  Hanover — hardships — lands  cleared.    -----    58 

SECTION  VII. 

Governor  Wentworth^s  friendsliip  to  the  College— missionaries  go 
forth  among  distant  tribes — are  driven  back — war  between  Greafc 
Britain  and  tlie  Colonies — College  and  School  possess  appropriate 
funds.        ----,----.„     59 

SECTION  VIII. 

The  College  and  School  suffer  by  the  revolutionary  war — donations 
of  Dr.  Phillips  and  Mr.  Johnson — munificence  of  Mr.  Thornton, 
London— Indians  join  the  British.         --------     gf 

SECTION  IX. 
The  advantageous  local  situation  of  Dartmouth  College — Dr.  Whee- 
lock's sickness,  and  his  death.     -*--------    77 


t 


VIII  CONTENTS. 

SECTION  X. 
His   Character — Faith — Praver — Doctrines — ^Talents   as   a    preach- 
er, cS:c.    ' 112 

SECTION  XI. 

Doctor  Wheelock's  persou — his  successor — his  mission  to  Europe — 
lands  granted  by  Vemiunt — new  CulleiJe  edifice — professor  Rip- 
ley'— lauds  granted  by  New  Uauipslm-e,  6iC,      ,    *     -    -     -     ICI 

SilCTION  XII. 

Funds  of  the  Colleste  and  School — funds  in  Scotland — Indians  in 
Moor's  School — revivals  of  relis:ion — numbers — situation  friendly 
to  morals,  and  progress  in  literature — professor  Smith — professor 
Hubbard,  i^c.       -     -    - 138 

SECTION  XIII. 

Extracts  of  letters,  from  several  very  respectable  personal  acquaint- 
ances of  the  late  Dr.  Wheelock,  to  one  of  the  Authors.  164; 

NOTES  and  Illustrations.         169 

APPENDIX — Containing  Doctor  Wheelock's  Literary  Correspon- 
dence m  Europe  and  America.      ---------     t%0 


MEMOIRS 


0& 


DOCTOR  WHEELOCK 


SECTION  I. 


lilS  ANCESTORS— EDUCATION— SETTLEMENT  AT  LEBANON— 
ITINERATIONS— HIS  COMPASSION  TOWARjDS 
THE  INDIANS. 

1  HE  biographies  of  great  and  good  men 
are  justly  ranked  among  the  most  useful  writing's 
of  historians  or  divines.  In  the  life  of  a  good 
man  we  see  the  practicability  of  human  virtues, 
their  ricli  consolations,  their  engaging  beauties, 
their  divine  rewards.  In  the  examples  of  a  good 
man,  we  are  demonstratively  taught  the  folly 
and  wickedness  of  those,  who  object  against 
self  government,  strict  morality  and  christian  pi- 
ety. Vv'e  see  scripture  purity  in  real  life.  In 
the  examples  of  a  good  'man,  we  learn  the  rea- 
sonableness and  propriety  of  commands,  exhor- 
tations andthreatenmgs,  to  deter  men  from  wick- 
edness. In  the  experience  of  a  good  man,  we 
learn,  that  the  integrity  of  the  upright  will  pre- 
serve them,  that  the  just  man  may  live  by  his 
faith,  that  to  him  who  hath,  more  shall  be  given, 
and  he  shall  have  abundance.  Every  good  man 
is  a  witness  for  God,  that  revelation  is  true.— 


to  MEMOIRS  OF 

Every  virtue  and  every  act  of  duty  in  a  good 
man,  are  a  reproach  to  the  wicked,  powerfully 
tend  to  alarm  their  consciences,  and  persuade 
them  to  become  christians. 

It  is  a  principle  of  our  nature  to  become  assi- 
mulated  to  the  objects,  which  we  contemplate. 
Familiar  converse  with  objects,  great  and  sub- 
lime, elevate  the  mind  ;  familiarity  with  objects 
mean  and  low  renders  the  mind  base  and  vul- 
gar. Hence  memoirs  of  persons,  who  were  great, 
and  good,  and  wisej  are  read  with  advantage, 
their  lives  are  in  a  sort  renewed,  their  temper  and 
actions  impressed  on  the  mind,  and  are  powerful 
incitements  to  moral  excellence.  This  species 
of  writing  is  not  the  least  useful  part  of  the  sa- 
cred scriptures.  The  book  of  God  is  enriched 
by  numerous  sketches  of  biography.  What  youth 
ever  read  the  life  of  Joseph  without  feeling  his 
mind  fortified  against  temptation,  and  animated 
in  christian  duty  ?  What  real  patriot  ever  read 
the  life  of  Moses  without  being  comforted  and 
encouraged  in  the  laborious  services  of  public 
office  ?  What  gospel  minister  ever  read  the  me- 
moirs of  St.  Paul,  his  perils  and  multiplied  la- 
bors, without  being  stimulated  to  go  and  do 
likewise  ? 

The  view  of  wicked  men,  pursuing  their  de- 
vious courses,  is  like  the  prospect  of  a  dismal 
wilderness  or  a  stormy  ocean  ;  all  is  confusion 
and  wild  destruction,  danger,  uproar  and  chaos. 
But  a  holy  life  is  the  'Miigh  way"  of  felicity,  the 
path  of  glory.  The  land  of  promise  opens,  the 
liver  of  life  waters  the  pleasant  fields,  the  gar- 
dens are  forever  decked  with  flowers  and  fruits^ 
the  inhabitants  are  blest. 

The  reverend  Doctor  Wheelock  was  born 
in  Windham,  Connecticut,  April,  1711,  and  di- 
ed at  Dartmouth  College,  in  Hanover,  New- 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  l\ 

hanipshire,  April  24tli,  1779,  aged  68  years. 
Few  have  accomplished  more  for  the  benefit  of 
mankind,  than  this  great  and  good  man. 

By  the  favor  of  heaven,  on  his  individual  ex- 
ertions, he  established  a  charitable  institution, 
for  the  purpose  of  christianizing  the  Indians  in 
North  America,  and  bringing  them  to  the  know- 
ledge of  civihzed  life.  By  this  means,  those 
wandering  children  of  depraved  nature,  have 
been  illuminated  with  science  and  religion.  Be- 
fore his  death  he  had  the  satisfaction  to  see 
Dartmouth  College  established  by  his  persevering 
enterprize,  on  a  permanent  foundation,  and  a 
prospect  of  its  increasing  and  extensive  utility. 

The  plans  and  labors,  he  devised  and  prosecu- 
ted, the  discouragements  he  surmounted,  his  un- 
wearied perseverance,  generous  philanthropy, 
and  pious  zeal,  will  be  exhibited  in  the  course  of 
these  memoirs. 

The  ancestors  of  Doctor  Wheelock  were  res- 
pectable. His  great-grandfather,  Mr.  Ralph 
Wheelock,  was  born  in  Shropshire  in  England, 
in  the  year  iGOO.  He  was  educated  at  Clare  Hall, 
in  Cambridge  University,  and  became  an  eminent 
preacher  of  the  gospel  With  thousands  of  pi- 
ous people,  he  suiFered  persecution  for  noncon- 
formity to  the  established  religion.  He  there- 
fore, at  the  age  of  thirty  seven  years,  determin- 
ed on  a  removal  to  New  England.  The  ship  in 
which  he  embarked  was  once  driven  back  by 
tempests,  the  voyage  was  long  and  distressing. 
While  at  sea  his  lady  was  delivered  of  a  daugh- 
ter. On  his  arrival,  he  settled  in  the  town  of 
Dedham,  Massachusetts,  thence  he  afterv/ards  re- 
moved to  Medfield,  which  was  originally  a  part 
ofDedham.  He  became  one  of  the  principal 
proprietors  of  Medfield,  where  several  of  his  nu- 
merous descendents  now  reside  on  land  of  their 


IS  MEMOIRS  OF 

ancestor.  He  declined  taking  the  charge  of  any 
particular  church,  hut  preached  occasionally  in 
Medfieldand  theadjacentnewformed  settlements. 
The  residue  of  his  life  he  passed  in  various  useful 
labors,  and  principally  in  the  instruction  of  youth. 
He  was  a  wise  counsellor  in  civil  and  ecclesiasti- 
cal matters ;  such  abilities  and  piety  as  he  pos- 
sessed, were  much  needed  and  employed  in  the 
infancy  of  the  country.  He  lived  to  a  good  old 
age,  universally  beloved  and  respected,  and  de- 
ceased Nov.  1683,  in  the  eighty  fourth  year  of 
his  age. 

The  Doctor's  grandfather,  Mr.  Eleazar  Whee- 
lock  of  Medfield,  afterwards  removed  to  Men  don. 
In  him  were  united  the  character  of  the  christ- 
ian and  the  soldier.  He  commanded  a  corps  of 
cavalry,  and  was  very  successful  in  repelUng  the 
irruptions  of  the  Indians  upon  the  new  settle- 
ments; and  became  extensively  known  and  fear- 
ed by  those  sons  of  violence  and  murder.  He 
treated  them  with  great  kindness  and  humanity 
in  peace,and  frequently  joining  them  in  the  chase, 
lie  reconnoitred  the  country,  and  discovered  their 
retreats.  Daring  the  war  with  the  Indians  his 
house  in  Mendon  was  converted  into  a  garrison, 
to  which  the  settlers  in  the  vicinity  resorted  for 
safety.  It  was  several  times  besieged  and  in  immi- 
nent danger,  but  providentially  preserved,  (a)^ 

The  Doctor's  father,  Mr.  Ralph  Wheelock,  re- 
3noved  in  early  life  to  Windham,  Connecticut  and 
3narricdMiss  Ruth  Huntington,  daughter  of  Mr. 
Christopher  Huntington,  of  Norwich.  He  was 
an  officer  of  the  church  in  Windham,  a  respecta- 
ble farmer,  universally  esteemed  for  his  hospita- 
lity, his  piety  and  the  virtues  that  adorn  the 
christian  profession. 

The  Doctor  being  an  only  son,  and  discover- 
ing at  an  early  age  a  lively  genius,  a  taste  for 

*  See  appendix. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  13 

learning,  with  a  very  amiable  and  friendly  dis- 
position, was  placed  by  his  father  under  the  best 
instructors,  that  could  then  be  obtained.  His 
grandfather,  for  whom  he  was  named,  left  him 
a  handsome  legacy,  for  defraying  the  expenses 
of  his  public  education.  About  the  age  of  six- 
teen, while  qualifying  himself  for  admission  to 
college,  it  pleased  God  to  impress  his  mind  wuth 
serious  concern  for  his  salvation.  After  earnest, 
prayerful  enquiry,  he  was  enlightened  and  com- 
forted w^ith  that  hope  in  the  Saviour,  which  af- 
terwards proved  the  animating  spring  of  his  ex- 
ertions to  qualify  himself  for  usefulness,  and  his 
abundant  labors  to  promote  the  best  interest  of 
mankind.  He  entered  on  his  coJlegiate  course, 
^vith  a  resolution  to  devote  himself  to  the  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry.  He  was  educated  at 
Yale  college,  under  the  direction  of  the  Honora- 
ble Rector  Williams,  who  was  a  gentleman  of 
eminent  wisdom,  learning  and  piety.  His  pro- 
ficiency in  study  and  his  exemplary  deportment, 
engaged  the  notice  and  esteem  of  the  Rector 
and  Instructors,  and  the  love  of  the  students. 
He,  and  his  brother  in  law%  the  late  Rev.  Doctor 
Pomroy  of  Hebron,  in  Connecticut,  were  the  first 
who  received  the  interest  of  the  legacy,  gene- 
rously  given  by  the  Rev.  Dean  Berkley,  to  be 
awarded  annually  to  the  best  classic  scholars  of 
the  senior  class.     He  was  graduated  in  1733. 

Soon  after  leaving  college  he  commenced  a 
preacher,  and  after  giving  a  negative  to  a  call 
from  a  tow^n  on  Long  Island,  to  settle  in  the 
ministry,  he  soon  received  a  unanimous  invita- 
tion from  the  second  society  in  Lebanon,  Con- 
necticut, w^ith  w^hich  he  complied. 

Soon  after  his  settlement  it  pleased. God  to  fa- 
vor New  England  generally,  and  many  places  in 
the  middle  and  southern  colonies,  with  vrouder-^ 


14  MEMOIRS  OF 

ful  effusions  of  the  holy  spirit.  This  great  work 
seemed  first  to  commence  in  Northampton  un- 
der the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Ed- 
Avards.  Mr.  Wheelock's  congregation  partook 
largely  of  that  divine  visitation,  to  the  great  joy 
of  their  pastor.  From  experience  of  grace  in 
liis  own  heart,  and  his  knowledge  of  its  effects 
on  others,  he  hecame  an  excellent  casuist  and 
skilful  guide  of  souls.  The  duties  of  the  pulpit 
were,  to  him,  delightful.  That  remarkable  re- 
vival of  religion  through  the  land,  about  the 
year  1740,  and  succeeding  years,  animated  him 
to  the  performance  of  great  and  astonishing  la- 
bors in  the  gospel.  He  preached  almost  daily, 
either  at  home,  or  in  his  travels,  to  numerous, 
attentive,  solemn  audiences.  In  those  assem- 
blies, while  some  opposed  the  surprising  work, 
others  were  crying  out  with  terror,  under  alarm- 
ing views  of  divine  wrath  ;  while  some  earnestly 
supplicated  mercy;  others  expressed  by  the  seren- 
ity of  their  countenances  the  ardor  ot  their  love, 
their  inward  peace,  and  joy  in  the  God  of  their 
salvation,  lie  was  wise  and  skilful  in  his  ad- 
dresses to  each  class  of  hearers,  and  gave  to  ev- 
ery one  a  word  in  due  season.  Distant  towns 
called  for  his  assistance,  and  in  compliance  with 
their  requests  he  often  left  his  people  and  itiner- 
ated through  the  country,  preaching  wherever 
invited.  The  word  dispensed  by  him  was  mighty 
to  awaken  and  convince  the  ignorant  and  secure, 
to  conduct  enquiring  souls  to  Christ,  to  detect 
the  erroneous,  and  to  establish  believers  in  their 
holy  faith.  Many  pious  and  zealous  ministers 
united  with  him  in  carrying  on  that  great  work, 
and  God  abundantly  blessed  their  labors.  He 
was  warmly  attached  to  the  celebrated  Rev.  Mr. 
Whitcfield  ;  and  was  fired  with  a  kindred  zeal  for 
ffod  and  tlie  salvation  of  men. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  1.5 

Mr.  Wheelock's  house,  while  he  was  there, 
was  the  daily  resort  of  persons  under  solemn  re- 
ligious impressions^  to  whom  he  dispensed  the 
word  of  life.  In  his  pubhc  and  private  instruc- 
tions they  hung  on  his  lips  with  ardent  atten- 
tion. Mr.  Wheelock  v/as  a  favored  instrument 
in  the  hands  of  God  of  gathering  many  souls  to 
Christ,  who,  are  now  his  joy  and  crown,  (b) 

Towards  the  close  of  this  uncommon  Avork, 
some  enthusiastic  and  unlearned  teachers  and  ex- 
liorters  arose,  who,  lead  many  astray  and  set  up 
societies,  denominated  Separatists.  Mr.  Whee- 
lock, with  other  able  leaders  in  the  work  of 
God,opposed  this  wild  torrent  of  delusion,  which 
threatened  the  peace  and  edification  of  the 
churches.  They  were  successful  in  reclaiming 
many,  who  had  deserted  their  duty.  The  good 
effects  of  his  wisdom  appeared  conspicuous  among 
his  own  people,  who  universally  discountenan- 
ced the  pretensions  and  errors  of  the  Separatist Sy 
and  continued  united  in  great  peace  and  love,  (c) 

While  he,  with  fidelity  and  success,  fulfilled 
the  duties  of  a  pastor,  he  became  anxious  to  em- 
ploy himself  in  a  more  extensive  field,  for  which 
his  enlarged,  benevolent  mind  was  qualified. 
The  religious  attention  of  his  people  declining, 
and  his  labors  being  not  so  constantly  demand- 
ed, by  his  people,  he  was  desirous  that  the  time, 
which  might  be  spared  from  them,  should  be 
devoted  to  the  more  extensive  advancement  of 
the  Redeemer's  cause.  The  unhappy  and  neg- 
lected tribes  of  Indians,  in  New  Eno4and,  and 
others  more  numerous  on  our  northern  and  wes- 
tern borders,  engaged  his  attention.  lie  thought 
and  felt,  that  as  a  christian  community,  vv^e  had 
shamefully,  and  criminally  neglected  proper  en- 
deavors to  reclaim  them  from  barbarous  igno- 
rance and  vice,  and  lead  them  to  a  knowledge  of 
God  and  his  Messiah, 


1^  MEMOIRS  OF 


SECTION  II. 

SA^IPSON  OCCUM— MR.  WHEELOCK'S  MOTIVES  IN  UNDER^ 
TAKING  HIS  INDIAN  SCHOOL-^PLAN  OF  A  SCHOOL. 

ABOUT  this  time  Sampson  Occum,  a  seri- 
ous Indian  youth,  visited  Mr.  Wheelock,  and 
soHcited  instruction,  which  was  gladly  and  free- 
-ly  bestowed.  He  afterwards  became  a  celebrat- 
ed preacher  in  America  and  Great  Britain.  He 
was  of  the  Mohegan  nation,  and  born  a  pagan.. 
Living  in  the  vicinity  of  the  English,  he,  in 
1741,  at  the  age  of  eighteen,  became  acquainted 
with  the  christian  religion,  forsook  the  vices  of 
his  countrymen,  and  became  devout  and  zealous.. 
He  was  deeply  affected  by  the  deplorable  igno- 
rance and  vices  of  the  Indians,  and  was  indus- 
trious in  quahfying  himself  to  teach  and  reform 
them.  Mr.  Wheelock  had,  previous  to  this  time^ 
opened  a  school  for  the  instruction  of  a  small 
number,  whom  he  received  into  his  family,  with 
a  few  Enghsh  youth,  preparing  for  admission  in- 
to college.  He  very  willingly  received  young 
Occum  into  his  school,  where  he  continued  a- 
bout  three  years.  He  was  likewise  one  year  with 
the  Rev.  Mr.  Pomroy,  pursuing  the  study  of 
the  English,  Latin  and  Greek  languages,  during 
which  time  he  also  attained  some  acquaintance 
with  the  Hebrew.  It  was  at  first  designed  that 
he  should  complete  his  education  at  college,  but 
want  of  health,  first  affecting  his  eyes,  compelled 
him  to  desist  for  a  season,  and  finally  to  relin- 
quish the  plan.  The  Hon.  London  Board  of 
Commissioners  in  Boston,  assisted  in  supporting 
the  expense  of  his  education.  He  pursued  his 
studies,  as  his  health  permitted,  and  was,  occa- 
sionally,  very  useful  as  a  school  master,   and 


J>^.  WHEELOCK.  iT 

teacher  among  the  Montauk  Indians,  on  Long 
Island,  and  elsewhere.  He  brought  them  oft' 
from  a  fanatic  wildness,  into  which  they  had 
fallen,  by  means  of  zealous  exhorters  from  New 
England.  It  is  believed  he  was  instrumental  in 
the  salvation  of  many. 

Having  attended  a  considerable  time  to  the 
study  of  theology,  and  made  sufficient  proficien- 
cy, he  was  examined  by  the  Rev.  Association 
of  Windham  county,  in  Connecticut,  and  by 
them  licenced  to  preach.  Afterwards,  in  1759, 
be  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the  gospel  min- 
istry by  the  Rev.  Suffolk  Presbytery,  on  Long 
Island,  to  be  employed  on  a  mission  to  the  Mo- 
haw^k  and  Oneida  Indians. 

Mr.  Wheelock  considered  Occum  a  specimen 
of  what  might  be  accomplished  in  forming  the 
minds  of  the  heathen,  and  was  encouraged  to 
proceed  in  the  work  proposed.  Various  motives 
induced  him  to  encounter  his  arduous  and  be- 
nevolent undertaking.  The  following  were  in 
his  view  very  important  :  as  the  brethren  of  the 
human  race,  christians  are  under  obligations  to 
spread  the  gospel  among  the  heathen ;  because 
it  is  a  treasure  committed  to  them  by  Jesus 
Christ,  to  be  communicated  to  all,  where  they 
may  have  access.  It  is  the  command  of  the 
great  Redeemer  to  his  first  ministers,  to  go  into 
all  the  world  and  teach  all  nations,  which  h 
still  in  force  ;  and  because  God  had  manifested 
lus  displeasure  against  us,  for  our  neglect  of  the 
heathen,  by  suflering  them,  almost  from  the  first 
settlement  of  New  England,  to  be  dreadful 
scourges  ;  that  not  only  the  obligations  of  reli- 
gion, but  pity  for  their* miserable  condition,  as 
to  the  comforts  of  this  life,  should  be  a  power- 
ful motive  to  draw  our  attention  to  their  wel- 
fare and  clear  ourselves  of  public  guilt.     A  gen- 


18  MEMOIRS  OP 

erous  spirit  of  patriotism  also  had  its  influence  ; 
he  conceived  that  they  might,  by  adopting  our 
manners,  become  good  subjects  of  our  govern- 
ment ;  that  the  least  expensive  and  most  effica- 
cious method  to  make  them  peaceable  neighbors, 
was  to  form  a  friendly  connection  with  them, 
by  educating  their  children  in  the  principles  of 
the  christian  religion,  and  teaching  them  the 
arts  of  civil  life;  that  to  christianize  the  heath- 
en was  a  condition  attached  to  the  royal  charters 
of  the  colonies,  and  promised  by  our  fathers. 
*'  But  that  which  was  of  greatest  weight,"  to  use 
his  own  words,  "  and  should  powerfully  excite 
*'and  persuade  us  hereto,  is  the  many  com- 
*^  mands,  strong  motives,  precious  promises,  and 
**  tremendous  threatenings,  which  fill  so  great  a 
*'  part  of  the  sacred  pages,  and  are  so  perfectly 
^'  calculated  to  awaken  all  our  powers,  to  spread 
"  the  knowledge  of  the  only  true  God  and  Sa- 
"  viour,  and  make  it  as  extensive  and  common 
*'as  possible." 

Other  considerations  had  their  influence  with 
him,  particularly  as  has  been  hinted,  his  want  of 
such  extensive  fields  for  industry  and  success  iu 
his  ministry,  as  he  wished.  Although  his  min- 
istrations had  been  divinely  blest  to  many  souls, 
yet  the  bounds  of  a  small  parish  were  too  con- 
fined ;  and  ordinary  labors,  too  limited,  for  his 
active  and  ardent  mind.  In  the  forests  of  Amer- 
ica, over  which  numerous  tribes  of  Indians  were 
scattered,  on  the  north,  the  west  and  the  south, 
he  discovered  a  glorious  range  for  labor  ;  and 
with  ardor,  and  apostolic  zeal,  he  entered  on  the 
important  work,  (d) 

Before  this  much  had  been  done,  by  pious  and 
charitable  individuals  and  societies^  to  christian- 
ize the  heathen,  by  sending  among  them  English 
missionaries.   But  the  difficulty  in  learning  their 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  3  9 

several  barbarous  languages,  or  of  communicat- 
ing, by  means  of  interpreters,  intellectual  and 
spiritual  knowledge,  to  the  barren  minds  of  sav- 
ages, the  suspicions  they  entertained,  that  white 
people  in  all  their  proposals,  had  a  design  to  en- 
slave them  or  obtain  their  lands ;  these,  with  the 
vices  of  the  white  people  on  their  borders,  who 
had  divested  themselves  of  the  restraints  of  gov- 
ernment and  religion,  and  had  greatly  corrupted 
the  minds  and  morals  of  the  Indians,  exhibited 
discouraging  prospects  of  accomplishing  any 
thing  very  effectual  among  them  by  any  common 
means. 

To  devise  the  best  method  of  evangelizing  the 
heathen,  he  had  long  engaged  his  thoughts.  He 
conceived  and  adopted  a  plan,  which  was  new 
and  till  then  never  attempted.  It  was  to  per- 
suade Indian  parents  to  send  their  children  to 
him,  and  in  this  manner  remove  them  entirely 
from  all  connection  with  their  countrymen;  and 
in  the  period  of  their  lives,  when  impressions  are 
most  lasting,  to  instruct  them  in  the  principles 
of  learning,  the  christian  religion,  and  the  arts  of 
civilized  life.  By  keeping  them  a  number  of 
years,  under  those  advantages,  and  until  they 
should  be  qualified  to  teach  their  brethren,  he 
hoped  to  form  them  to  such  habits,  as  would  ef- 
fectually secure  them  from  degenerating  into  the 
idle,  wandering,  and  vicious  manners  of  their  own 
nation.  He  wished,  so  far  as  practicable,  to  make 
them  equal  to  English  youth  in  every  useful  and 
virtuous  accomplishment,  and  rouse  in  them  an 
emulation  to  persevere.  His  plan  comprehend- 
ed the  education  of  female  children,  either  by 
placing  them  in  pious  families,  or  under  the  care 
of  a  skilful  governess,  to  be  instructed  in  domes- 
tic business  and  other  accomplishments  adapted 
to  their  sex.   The  united  example  of  both  fonn- 


i20  MEMOIRS  OF 

ed  on  the  model  of  a  religious  Englisli  educa- 
tion, on  their  return  to  their  own  country,  he 
rationally  thought  would  have  a  powerful  and 
happy  influence  in  bringing  their  savage  brethren 
to  the  same  habits  of  life,  (e) 

It  was  his  purpose  also  to  educate  a  number 
of  promising  English  youth,  who  would  devote 
themselves  to  the  service  of  the  Redeemer,  in  the 
capacity  of  missionaries.  He  humbly  besought 
counsel  of  God,  and  was  encouraged  to  believe 
that  his  design  was  conformable  to  the  divine 
will.  He  communicated  his  views  to  several  of 
his  christian  friends  and  brethren  in  the  minis- 
try ;  they  applauded  his  benevolence,  but  seem- 
ed generally  inclined  to  dissuade  him  from  the 
attempt,  as  they  saw  no  means  of  accomplishing 
his  purpose.  Some,  however,  gave  him  assur- 
ances of  their  aid. 

Mr.  Wheelock's  family,  at  this  time,  was  young 
and  increasing,  and  the  pittance  of  salary  on. 
which  he  settled  was  inadequate  to  its  support. 
He  was  obliged  to  draw  assistance  from  the  pa- 
trimony left  him  by  his  honored  father. 

As  Doctor  Wheelock  was  but  partially  sup- 
ported by  his  people  ;  he,  therefore,  inferred  that 
they  were  entitled  only  to  a  corresponding  part 
of  his  time  and  labors.  From  the  same  cause 
other  ministers  of  the  gospel  have  found  them- 
selves in  the  same  unpleasant,  discouraging  di- 
lemma. The  want  of  honesty  and  fidelity  on 
the  part  of  their  people,  has  induced  them  to  ex- 
change their  study  for  the  field,  to  hear  the  mirth 
of  their  reapers,  instead  of  the  songs  of  Zion, 
where  christians  meet  to  praise  and  pray  ;  to  toil 
with  oxen,  instead  of  listening  with  delight  to 
the  sublime  strains  of  Isaiah,  or  the  wonderful 
visions  of  St.  John,  revealed  in  the  caverns  of 
Patmos.     Others,  engage  in  those  philosophic  oy 


DR.  WIIEELOCK.  21 

literary  pursuits,  which  materially  interfere  with 
their  labors  for  their  people,  which  abate  their 
ministerial  zeal,  and  weaken  the  force  of  labors, 
which  are  performed.  Their  situation  is  afflict- 
ing, and  it  bccometh  them  to  be  vastly  cautious^ 
lest  they  be  found  unfaithful  stewards  of  Jesus 
Christ.  When  things  come  to  such  a  crisis, 
somewhat  is  dangerously  wrong  in  the  pastor  or 
people.  When  a  minister,  like  I\Ir.  Wheelock, 
who  understands  the  principles  of  moral  obliga- 
tions, and  of  commutative  justice,  who  has  an 
habitual  and  awful  sense  of  his  duty,  as  an  am- 
bassador of  heaven  ;  when  such  a  person  delib- 
erately presumes  to  deprive  his  people  of  halr^  or 
any  other  proportion  of  his  services,  it  is  high 
time  for  them  to  be  alarmed  ;  it  is  time  for  them 
to  make  solemn  scrutiny  ;  it  is  time  for  them  to 
examine  their  treatment  of  their  minister.  Has 
he  approved  himself  to  their  consciences,  as  an 
honest  man  ;  has  he  appeared  to  love  his  minis- 
terial work  ;  has  he  manifested  an  unfeigned  af- 
fection for  them,  a  religious  solicitude  for  theit 
salvation  ;  a  cheerful  readiness  to  promote  their 
spiritual  improvement  ?  Will  they  not  then  be 
jealous  of  them.selves  ? 

Have  ye,  oh  neglected  people,  faithfully  ob- 
served your  engagements  to  your  pastor?  or  have 
ye  muzzled  the  mouth  of  the  ox,  while  he  was 
treading  out  the  corn  ?  You  are  not  merely  abus- 
ing your  minister,  dissolving  the  bonds  of  his 
obligations  to  you,  and  justifying  him  in  desert- 
ing your  service,  and  neglecting  your  immortal 
interests  ;  but  you  are  bringing  a  spiritual  fam- 
ine upon  your  church,  upon  your  dear  children, 
and  your  own  souls.  You  are  extinguishing  the 
light,  ready  to  shine  upon  you,  and  frec/iing  the 
heart  glowing  with  zeal  for  your  salvation;  you 
are  striking  with  a  fatal  palsy  the  hand,  which 


22!  MEMOIRS  OF 

would  be  exerted  for  your  endless  felicity  ;  you 
are  sealing  the  lips  which  would  proclaim  pardon 
and  eternal  life.  Like  Ananias  and  Saphira  to 
save  for  yourselves  a  miserable  pittance,  which 
you  had  professedly  devoted  to  the  gospel,  you 
are  increasing  the  danger  of  your  everlasting  de- 
struction ;  you  are  depriving  yourselves  in  part 
of  the  very  means  of  salvation.  Having  sup- 
pressed a  portion  of  your  religious  instructions, 
will  God  probably  bless  those  which  are  contin- 
ued ?  They  are,  it  may  be  supposed,  less  skilfully 
directed  ;  coming  from  a  heart  enfeebled  with 
great  discouragements,  they  are  delivered  with 
less  pathos,  they  strike  the  hearers  with  less  en- 
ergy. But  were  the  preacher's  courage  invinci- 
ble, and  his  zeal  for  your  spiritual  welfare  un- 
diminished; were  all  his  powers,  all  his  time  and 
talents  still  devoted  to  your  service  ;  yet  if  you 
he  unfaithful  to  him,  will  God  bless  those  la- 
bors? Will  he  bless  sermons  and  sacraments,  en- 
joyed by  unfaithfulness  and  fraud?  Will  he  be 
honored,  or  will  he  save  you  by  those  public 
solemnities,  obtained  by  insincerity,  and  which, 
therefore,  cost  you  little  or  nothing  ? 

Dr.  Wheelock  resolved  to  devote  a  part  of  his 
time  and  property  to  the  design  of  evangelizing 
the  Indians,  placing  confidence  in  God,  in  whose 
hands  are  the  hearts  of  all  men,  that  he  would 
afford  sufficient  aid,  and  raise  up  generous  ben- 
efactors to  assist  him  in  this  work.  He  used  to 
say,  that  there  always  are  pious  and  liberal  per- 
sons blessed  by  God  with  ability,  who  are  wait- 
ing for  opportunities  to  distribute  their  v/ealth, 
in  the  manner  best  adapted  to  promote  the  glory 
of  God  in  tlie  salvation  of  men  ;  and  that  he 
doubted  not,  the  cliavitable  institution,  he  was 
about  to  organize,  vvoiild  excite  tlic  liberality  oi 
miinv.  C  /') 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  ^3 


SECTION  III. 

THE  PROGRESS  OF  THE  INDIAN  SCHOOL—BENEFACTORS—MR. 
MOOR— WAR  WITH  FRANCE— SIR  WILLIAM  JOHNSON— JO- 
SEPH BRANT— MP..  C.  J.  SMITH— DESCRIPTION  OF  SAVAGE 
LIFE— REGULATION  AND  INSTRUCTION  OF  THE  SCHOOL. 

ON  the  eighteenth  day  of  December,  1754, 
arrived  John  Pumpshire  in  the  fourteenth,  and 
Jacob  Woolley  in  the  eleventh  year  of  his  age, 
two  Indian  boys  of  the  Delaware  nation.  They 
were  sent,  at  the  request  of  Mr.  Wheelock,  by 
the  Rev.  John  Brainerd,  missionary  to  the  Indians 
in  New- Jersey.  Considering  their  ignorance  of 
our  language,  they  made  as  great  proficiency  in 
learning  as  the  English  boys  in  the  same  school. 
In  two  years,  they  became  v/ell  acquainted  witli 
the  English  language,  writing  and  common  arith- 
metic, and  acquired  considerable  knowledge  of 
the  Latin  and  Greek.  Their  health,  particularly 
Pumpshire's,  began  rapidly  to  decline.  This  was 
attributed  to  the  sudden  change  of  diet  and  mode 
of  living,  with  the  sedentary  employment  to 
which  they  had  been  such  total  strangers.  Pump- 
shire returned  to  his  country  and  did  not  long- 
survive.*  Woolley  appeared  to  be  a  sprightly 
and  promising  youth,  and  was  entered  at  New- 
Je/sey  college  to  complete  his  education.  At 
Mr.  Wheelock's  request,  Mr.  Brainerd  sent  him 
tw^o  other  lads  of  the  same  nation;  Joseph  Wool- 
ley  and  Hezekiah  Calvin. 

While  these  attempts  were  making,  the  school 
attracted   the  notice  of  many.      Subscriptions 

*  On  this  event,  Mr.  Wheelock  remarks  h\  his  narrative,  "  The  dc- 
*' ciine  and  dyath  of  this  youth,  waj  an  instructive  scene  to  me,  and 
"  convinced  me  moi-e  fully  of  the  necessity  of  special  care  respecting 
"  their  diet,  and  that  more  exercise  was  necessary  for  them,  especially 
•'  at  their  iirst  com  in  5,  tO'  a  fidl  tabic-', 


24  MEMOIRS  OF 

were  opened  and  circulated  among  the  pious  ahcl 
charitable,  and  the  sum  of  five  hundred  pounds, 
lawful  money,  was  soon  raised  towards  a  fund 
for  its  support.  The  Honorable  Scotch  Com- 
missioners in  Boston  and  the  vicinity,  were  the 
first  public  society,  which  gave  their  influence 
and  aid  to  these  benevolent  labors  of  Dr.  Whee- 
lock.  After  examining  his  plan  of  procedure, 
they,  in  May  17^3,  passed  a  vote  desiring  him 
to  send  David  Fowler,  an  Indian  scholar,  with 
Mr.  Occum  to  the  Oneidies,  and  if  practicable, 
to  bring  three  boys  to  be  put  to  school  at  Leba- 
non. They  votecl  twenty  pounds  for  the  present, 
and  desired  Mr.  Wheelock  to  inform  their  trea- 
surer, when  this  was  expended.  Fowler  and 
Occum  were  successful ;  after  a  journey  of  a 
thousand  miles,  the  former  returned  with  three 
Indian  lads.  These  were  very  soon  as  cheerful 
and  "  happy  as  if  they  had  been  at  home."  Con- 
stant care  was  taken,  that  their  feelings  might 
not  be  wounded.  His  maxim  with  thenatives  was 
that  those,  who  take  the  direction  of  others'  chil- 
dren, should  treat  them  as  their  own.  So  they 
treat  the  captives  whom  they  adopt.  This  pa- 
rental style  of  government  was  not  only  agreea- 
ble to  Dr.  Wheelock,  but  absolutely  necessary 
to  the  existence  of  his  school.  While  other  teach- 
ers appeared  before  their  pupils  as  scrupulous  le- 
gislators or  stern  judges,  he  was  always  the  gen- 
tle and  affectionate  father  of  his  tawny  family. 
Had  he  adopted  a  different  manner,  jealousy, 
alienation,  and  desertion  would  have  followed. 
His  scholars  would  have  sought  their  native  for- 
ests, and  those  kindnesses  received  from  their 
parents,  which  they  consider  necessary  to  fideli- 
ty and  uprightness. 

In  November  following,  the  *^' Great  and  Gen- 
eral Court  of  Massachusetts  became  the  patrons 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  25 

of  Dr.  Wheelock.  So  established  was  liis  integ- 
rity ;  so  wise  were  his  arrangements  ;  so  evident- 
ly  noble  and  excellent  his  undertaking,  that  the 
mosi:  res^iectable  legislators  on  the  continent 
honored  themselves  by  assisting  him  in  his  la- 
bors. The  province  of  Massachusetts  voted 
*'  that  Dr.  Wheelock  should  be  allowed  to  take 
under  his  care  six  children  of  the  Six  Nations,'* 
and  they  would  bear  the  expense  of  their  ''  edu^ 
cation,  clothing  and  boarding  for  one  year." 
These  were  obtained  and  admitted  into  the 
school. 

About  this  time  ]\Ir.  V/heelock  invited  the  fol- 
lowing gentlemen  to  associate  with  him  and  un- 
dertake in  trust  to  manage  the  concerns  of  his 
Indian  school;  viz.  Elisha  Williams,  Esq.  late 
Rector  of  Yale  College,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs. 
Samuel  Mosely,  of  Windham,  and  Benjamin 
Pomroy,  of  Hebron.  They  readily  accepted  the 
invitation,  and  subscribed  a  covenant  to  that  ef- 
fect. In  the  infancy  of  the  school,  Mr.  Joshua 
Moor,  a  respectable  farmer  in  Mansfield,  made 
the  first  considerable  donation  to  it.  It  consist- 
ed of  a  convenient  tenement  for  a  school  house, 
and  about  two  acres  of  land  contiguous  to  Mr. 
Wheelock's  mansion ;  and  in  honor  of  the  do- 
nor, the  institution  was  named  Moors  Indian 
Charity  School. 

As  tiie  property  of  the  school  increased  con- 
siderably, from  the  generosity  of  its  friends,  and 
as  it  was  probable,  that  it  would  enjoy  extensive 
patronage,  it  was  thought  best,  by  gentlemen 
of  the  law,  that  an  act  of  incorporation  should 
be  obtained.  Measures  were  accordingly  pur- 
sued to  obtain  a  charter  from  England,  and  al- 
so from  the  Governor  of  Connecticut;  but  the 
commencement  of  war  between  England  and 

4 


^6  MEMOIRS  OF 

France,  in  which  the  colonies  were  deeply  in- 
volved, rendered  the  design  unpopular,  and  the 
attempt  unsuccessful.  The  greater  part  of  the 
Indians  united  with  the  French  of  Canada,  and 
spread  desolation  on  the  frontiers.  The  army  of 
Gen.  Braddock  was  defeated,  and  for  a  season 
the  enemy  triumphed.  The  school,  however,  in 
this  season  of  distress  increased,  "and  such," 
Mr.  Wheelock  observes,  '^  was  the  orderly  and 
"  good  behavior  of  the  Indian  boys,  through  the 
''  blessing  of  God  on  instruction  and  discipline, 
*'  that  enemies  could  find  but  little  or  nothing 
*'  that  was  true,  wlierewith  they  might  reproach 
**  the  design."  Several  of  Mr.  Wheelock's  friends^ 
who  were  enraged  at  the  horrid  barbarities,  com- 
mitted by  the  Indians  upon  tlie  defenceless  in- 
habitants on  the  frontiers,  advised  him  to  aban- 
don his  object.  His  persevering  zeal  to  promote 
their  salvation  was  not  in  any  measure  damped, 
hut  rather  animated  by  these  apparent  discou- 
ragements. He  was  persuaded  that  the  most  ef- 
fectual method  to  bring  them  to  a  friendly  and 
perpetual  alliance,  was  to  conciliate  them  by 
kindness,  and  bind  them  to  us  by  kind  offices. 
His  wisdom  and  foresight  have  been  manifested 
by  subsequent  facts.  Those  tribes,  among  whom 
his  missionaries  and  school  masters  had  mostly 
labored,  were  friendly  to  the  colonies,  and  gener- 
ally observed  neutrality  in  the  wars  with  the 
French,  and  since,  in  the  late  revolutionary  wars 
witli  Great  Britain. 

Great  was  the  faith  and  charity  of  the  pious 
founder  of  the  school,  during  the  distressing 
war,  of  the  French  and  Indians,  and  heaven 
smiled  on  his  imshaken  perseverance.  In  that 
dark  ])eriod,the  infant  institution  found  many  able 
friends,  whose  zeal  for  the  glory  of  God,  in  the 
conversion  of  the  heathen,  triumphed  over  that 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  2/ 

resentment  and  revenge,  which  the  natural  heart 
was  ready  to  indulge.  At  that  time,  some  open- 
ly opposed  the  school,  others  labored  by  secret 
arts  to  destroy  its  credit. 

When  the  war  closed,  in  17^3,  the  threatening 
cloud  dispersed.  The  hearts  of  the  liberal  were 
opened,  and  donations  flowed  in  from  various 
quarters.  The  number  of  Indian  youth  in  the 
school,  from  the  Mohawks,  the  Delawares,  Mo- 
hegan  and  Narragansetts,  soon  increased  to 
twelve.  Seven  Indian  girls  from  those  nations, 
were  also  received  and  placed  in  good  famihes, 
in  the  vicinity,  where  they  were  taught  domes- 
tic business,  instructed  in  reading  and  writing. 

Sir  Wilham  Johnson,  superintendant  of  In- 
dian affairs  in  North  America,  w^as  very  friend- 
ly to  the  designs  of  Mr.  Wheelock,  and  at  his 
request^  sent  to  the  school  at  various  times,  se- 
veral boys  of  the  Mohawks,  to  be  instructed. 
One  of  these  was,  the  since,  celebrated  Joseph 
Brant,  who,  after  receiving  his  education,  was 
particularly  noticed  by  Sir  William,  and  employ- 
ed by  him  in  public  business.  He  has  been, 
very  useful  in  advancing  the  civilization  of  his 
countrymen,  and  for  a  long  time  past  has  been 
a  military  officer,  of  extensive  influence  among 
the  Indians  in  Upper  Canada.  The  expense  of 
clothing  so  many  naked  youth  from  the  wilder- 
ness, their  board,  their  instructors,  and  persons 
to  take  the  immediate  oversight  of  them,  was 
vmavoidably  great,  notwithstanding  the  most 
careful  economy.  Mr.  Wheelock  was  indefati- 
gable in  labor.  He  repeatedly  journeyed  through 
the  neighboring  colonies,  soliciting  benefactions 
of  the  liberal ;  his  success  often  exceeded  his 
most  sanguine  expectations,  and  excited  his 
grateful  acknowledgments  to  heaven.  He  gen= 
erously  gave  all  the  expenses  of  his  journey,  his 


28  MEMOIRS  OF 

own  time  and  labor.  In  the  term  of  eight  years 
from  liis  commencing  the  education  of  Indians, 
as  a  chief  object,  his  expenditures  amounted  to 
two  thousand  five  hunch'ed  and  sixteen  dollars, 
and  his  receipts,  in  donations,  to  two  thousand 
two  hundred  and  sixty  two  dollars. 

In  June,  1763,  Mr.  Charles  Jeffrey  Smith,  of 
Long  Island,  was  ordained  to  the  work  of  the 
gospel  ministry  at  Lebanon,  with  a  view  to  his 
performing  a  mission  to  remote  tribes  of  Indians. 
Mr.  Smith  was  a  worthy,  pious  young  gentle- 
man, zealous  in  religion,  compassionate  to  the 
Iieathen,  and  of  an  accomplished  education. 
He  possessed  a  handsome  estate  and  devoted  a 
large  proportion  of  it  to  charitable  uses.  He 
had  itinerated  some  time,  as  a  preacher,  among 
the  poor  and  destitute  settlements  in  the  south- 
ern colonies.  He  was  successful,  particularly 
in  Virginia,  in  bringing  the  wretched  children 
of  Africa  to  the  knowledge  of  Christ  He  w^as 
■universally  respected  for  amiable  manners^  great 
benevolence,  and  popular  talents  as  a  preacher. 
The  hostile  disposition  of  some  of  the  Indians 
for  a  time  delayed  his  mission.  At  his  ordina- 
tion Mr.  Wheelock  preached  a  sermon  from  Isaiah 
ji.  2d  and  3d.  A?id  it  shall  come  to  pass  in  the 
last  days,  that  the  mountain  of  the  Lord's  house 
shall  be  established  in  the  top  of  t lie  mount ains,  and 
shall  be  exalted  above  the  hills;  and  all  nations 
shall Jlozo  unto  it.  And  many  people  shall  go  and 
say,  Come  ye,  and  let  us  go  up  to  the  mountain  of 
the  Lord,  to  the  house  of  the  God  of  Jacob  ;  and 
he  xcill  teach  us  of  his  ways,  and  we  will  zvalk  in 
his  paths  :  for  out  of  Zion  shall  go  forth  the  law, 
and  the  word  of  the  Lord  from  Jerusalem.  His 
sermon  was  afterwards  ])rinted  in  Edinburgh, 
and  also  in  London.  Its  leading  sentiment  is 
deduced  from  the  ohhgations  of  christians^   tQ 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  ^9 

make  the  Redeemer  known  among  the  heathen. 
The  doctrine  of  it  is,  That  the  manifestation  of 
Jesus  Christ,  among  the  heathen,  will  powerfully 
and  effectually,  draw  them  unto  him.  This  doc- 
trine is  illustrated  by  shewing,  how  Christ  is  to 
be  made  known,  in  order  to  win  the  nations  to 
him  ;  that  this  is  the  divinely  appointed  means 
of  gathering  the  heathen  to  Christ ;  and  that  all 
who  are  thus  brought  to  Christ,  come  most  free- 
ly. In  the  application  of  the  discourse,  he  ex- 
hibits many  weighty  and  forcible  considerations, 
to  awaken  the  attention,  and  animate  the  exer- 
tions of  Christians  to  this  great  duty.  Among 
others  he  endeavours  to  excite  compassion,  for 
their  miserable  condition  in  this  life,  and  gives 
the  following  just  and  truly  characteristic  des- 
cription of  the  wretchedness  of  savage  life ;  a 
description  which  probably  equals,  if  it  does  not 
excel,  any  which  has  been  given  in  so  short  a 
compass  :  "  I  may  also  add,  that  their  wretched 

*  outward  condition  should  move  our  compas- 
'  sions  towards  them.     Half  naked,  and  almost 

*  starved  a  great  part  of  their  time  ;  without 
'  any  habitations,  which  are  a  suitable  defence, 
^  from  the  cold  or  storm  ;  accommodated  only 
'  with  a  matt  of  flags  or  bulrushes  to  lodge 
^  upon  ;  a  kettle,  a  wooden  dish,  and  a  wooden 
^  spoon  or  two.  And  if  I  omit  any  thing  in 
^  their  inventory,  it  is  neither  in  weight  or  bulk 
'  so  much,  that  it  may  not,  when  the  covering 
^  of  their   habitation  is  also  added,    be   easily 

*  transported  by  one  or  two  of  their  females,  to 
^  a  distant  place,  by  a  spring  of  water,  or  near 
'  some  hideous  swamp,  where  they  may  be  plen- 
^  tifully  supplied  with  materials  for  their  low 
'  manufactures,  and  to  which  their  hunters  may 
•'  make  their  retreat  from  their  distant  rambles, 
^'  Strangers  to  the  sweats  of  friendship^  and  all 


so  MEMOIRS  OF 

^'  the  emoluments  of  science,  immersed  amidst 
*^  scenes  of  cruelty  and  blood,  they  have  nothing 
"  noble  or  worthy  the  rational  creature  to  enter- 
*^'  tain  and  feast  themselves  and  one  another  with, 
'^  in  asocial  way.  Can  we  think  of  this  wretch- 
"  ed  state  of  our.  fellow  men,  and  feel  no  com- 
"  passion  moving  towards  them?  Or  can  we 
*'  think  much  of  a  little  expense,  to  turn  such 
*'  ha])itations  of  cruelty  into  dweUing  places  of 
^'  righteousne.ss,  and  little  sanctuaries  where  the 
''  true  God  may  be  worshipped  in  spirit  and 
''  truth,  instead  of  sacrifices  to  devils?" 

These  people  are  sunk  into  a  much  more  sa- 
vage state  of  society  than  their  supposed  ances- 
tors in  Asia.  Since  the  proximity  of  the  two 
continents  at  Behring's  strait  has  been  known, 
it  has  been  generally  believed,  that  the  original 
inhabitants  of  America  emigrated  from  Asia. 
Other  circumstances  are  more  conclusive  evi-' 
dence  of  the  fact.  The  eastern  side  of  America 
was  less  populous  than  the  western.  This  has. 
been  attested  for  ages  by  many  writers  on  the 
subject.  A  natural  result  from  the  first  settle- 
ments being  formed  in  the  west. 

The  traditions  of  our  savages,  as  far  as  the  na» 
ture  of  the  case  admits,  establish  the  same  fact. 
They  proclaim  their  wanderings  from  the  west. 
When  you  ask  the  Indians  of  Carolina  whence 
their  forefathers  came,  they  point  to  the  west- 
ward, and  say,  "  Where  the  sun  sleeps,  thence 
our  forefathers  came."  The  tribes  on  this  side 
the  Mississippi,  assert  that  they  came  from  the 
west,  northwest  or  south.  The  Natches  say, 
that  once  they  dwelt  in  the  south  west,  "  nnder 
the  Sim."  The  Chikkasahs,  the  Six  Nations, 
the  Mahicanni,  and  the  tribes  of  New  England, 
say  they  came  from  the  westward.  These  last 
sav.  that  in  the  south  v/est  is  the  court  of  the 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  S! 

Great  God,  Cawtantowwit  In  the  south  west 
are  the  spirits  of  their  forefathers.  To  the 
south  west  go  their  own  spirits,  when  they  die. 
From  the  south  west  came  their  corn  and  beans, 
from  the  fields  of  the  great  God,  Cawtantow- 
wit.^ Similar  traditions  of  the  Toltecas  and  Mex- 
icans, support  the  opinion  of  their  Asiatic  origin. 

The  Illinois  and  the  Miamis  say,  they  "  came 
from  the  borders  of  the  sea,  very  distant  to  the 
west." 

In  this  continent  are  found  the  languages  of 
Asia.  The  language  of  Mexico  may  be  traced 
to  the  languages  of  the  Persians,  the  Curdic,  the 
Arabs,  the  Tartars,  the  Yogoulitchi,  \vhence  al- 
so are  derived  considerable  portions  of  the  nume- 
rous languages,  derived  from  the  Delaware  stock, 
the  Six  Nations,  the  Cherokees,  the  Creeks,  the 
Chikkasahs,  the  Choktahs,  and  many  other 
tribes  in  North  and  South  America.f  Strong  re- 
semblances are  also  found  between  several  Ame- 
rican languages  and  those  of  China  and  Japan. 
The  languages  of  Caucasus  and  Tartary,  are  dis- 
covered in  America,  and  though  less  aftinity  is 
sometimes  found  between  lano-uaoes  of  America, 
radically  the  same,  than  between  those  in  Asia^ 
radically  the  same,  this  only  proves,  that  the 
American  tribes  have  been  longer  separated 
than  those  of  Asia,  or  what,  perhaps  has  had 
more  influence,  that  their  greater  change  of 
place,  novelty  of  situation,  and  dilicrence  in 
style  of  living,  have  introduced  a  more  rapid 
change  of  language.  It  is  a  fact,  v/orthy  of  at- 
tention, that  but  one  radical  language  has  been 
discovered,  by  extensive  researches^  either  in  A- 
merica  or  the  old  world, 

*  Roger  Williams. 

t  See  "  New  Views  of  the  origin  of  llie  tribes  and  nations  of  Aine?i-r 
r^.  by  B.  S.  Barton,  Tvl.  D,"  an  excellent  v-ork. 


32  MEMOIRS  OF 

To  support  the  Asiatic  origin  of  ouf  Savages, 
the  ancient  forts  and  mounds  of  the  western 
country,  bring  in  their  united  testimony.  These 
are  less  frequent  on  the  Atlantic,  than  to  the 
west  of  our  high  range  of  mountains.  This  indi- 
cates their  erection  to  have  been  by  a  people 
from  the  westward.  What  vastly  corroborates 
this  opinion  is,  that  forts  and  mounds  of  similar 
construction  and  apparent  design,  are  scattered 
over  the  northern  part  of  Asia.  These  mighty 
labors  of  other  times,  in  Asia  and  America, 
Avhose  origin  and  use  have  baffled  the  enquiries 
of  philosophers,  were  probably  performed  by  the 
same  people.* 

In  1764,  the  school  consisted  of  about  thirty 
scholars,  of  whom  about  one  half  were  Indians  ; 
the  residue  were  either  independent  English 
youth,  or  those  who  were  preparing  for  Indian 
missions,  and  dependant  either  in  part,  or  whol- 
ly, on  the  funds  of  the  school,  for  the  expense 
of  their  education.  Religious,  faithful  and  learn- 
ed masters  were  employed,  from  time  to  time^ 
for  the  school. 

The  Indian  boys  were  accommodated  in  a 
part  of  the  house  given  by  Mr.  Moor,  and  fur- 
nished with  proper  lodging,  diet^  and  other  ne- 
cessaries, by  persons  employed  for  the  purpose. 
The  school  house  w^as  nigh  Mr.  Wheelock's 
dwelling,  in  the  hall  of  which,  the  students  and 
their  instructors,  attended  morning  and  evening- 
prayers. 

,  The  following  is  a  general  description  of  the 
manner  of  conducting  the  school.  *'  The  stu- 
*'  dents  were  obliged  to  be  decently  dressed,  and 
*'  ready  to  attend  prayers,  before  sunrise,  in  the 
"  fall  and  winter,  and  at  six  o'clock  in  the  sum- 
"  mer.  A  portion  of  scripture  was  read  by  se- 
"  veral  of  the  seniors  of  them  ;  and  those  who 

*  Rev.  Mr.  Harris'  Tour  to  the  Ohio. 


DR.  WHEELOCK,  SS 

^^  were  able  answered  a  question  in  the  Asse??!- 
"  bli/'s  Catechism  ;  some  explanatory  questions 
"  were  asked  them  upon  it,  and  answers  ex- 
"  pounded  to  them.  After  prayers,  a  short  time 
"  was  allowed  for  their  diversion,  and  the  school 
'^  began  with  prayer  at  nine  o  clock,  and  ended 
*^  at  twelv^e ;  began  at  two  and  ended  at  five 
"  o'clock  with  prayer.  Evening  prayers  were  at- 
*^  tended  before  day  light  was  gone.  Afterwards 
''  they  applied  to  their  studies.  They  attended 
"  public  worship,  and  had  pews  devoted  to  their 
"  use  in  the  house  of  God.  On  the  Lord's  day 
"  morning,  and  between  and  after  the  meetings, 
"  the  master,  or  some  one  to  whom  they  would 
*'  submit,  attended  them,  to  inspect  their  beha- 
"  viour,  hear  them  read,  catechise  and  discourse 
"  to  them.  And  once  or  twice  a  week  they 
'^  heard  a  discourse,  delivered  by  Mr.  Wheelock, 
"  calculated  for  their  capacities,  upon  the  most 
^^  important  and  interesting  subjects."* 

Such  a  number  of  youth,  taken  from  the  midst 
of  savage  life,  attending  with  decency  and  de- 
votion upon  the  duties  of  rehgion,  was  a  new 
and  pleasing  spectacle.  The  progress  of  his  "  In- 
dian children,"  as  he  used  to  call  them,  in  learn- 
ing and  good  manners,  was,  for  Mr.  Wheelock, 
a  favorite  topic  of  conversation,  at  home  and 
abroad.  He  loved  them  and  bore  them  daily  on 
his  heart  to  the  throne  of  grace.  Their  tem- 
pers were  generally  docile  and  pleasant,  their 
behaviour  agreeable,  and  their  diligence  and  pro- 
gress in  learning  exceeded  expectation.  At  first, 
some  of  them  discovered  their  savage  cruelty  of 
disposition,  in  their  torturing  animals  for  amuse- 
ment ;  but  by  means  of  reproof  and  instruction, 
they  soon  became  sensible  of  the  impropriety  and 
evil  of  such  practices. 

*  First  IvTarrative  of  the  Rise  and  Progress  of  the  School. 
5 


?4!  MEMOIRS  Of 


SECTION  IV. 

BOARD  OF  CORRESPONDENTS  ERECTED— DONATIONS  FROM 
GREAT  BRITAIN— SCHOOL  MASTERS— MR.  KIRKLAND'S  MIS- 
SION TO  THE  SENECAS— MR.  OCCUM. 

IN  consequence  of  application,  Mr.  Whee- 
lock,  in  1764,  received  from  the  Hon.  Society  in 
Scotland,  for  propagating  Chinstian  knowledge, 
the  following  commission  for  a  Board  of  Cor- 
respondents with  that  society,  designed  to  assist 
in  promoting  the  objects  of  Moor's  Indian  Cha- 
rity School. 

'^  The  committee  of  directors  of  the  society  in 
"  Scotland,  for  propagating  christian  knowledge, 
"  in  virtue  of  the  powers  granted  to  them,  by 
"  the  general  meeting  of  said  society,  and  agree- 
"  ably  to  a  particular  appointment  of  the  gene- 
*'  ral  meeting,  held  upon  the  twenty  fourth  day 
^^  of  November  last.  Taking  under  their  consi- 
*'  deration,  the  signal  success,  with  which  it  has 
*'  pleased  God  Almighty  to  bless  the  British 
"  arms,  in  North  America,  during  the  late  war; 
*'  and  that  Providence  thereby,  presents  a  favor- 
"  able  opportunity,  and  calls  upon  them  to  im> 
'^  prove  it  for  enlarging  and  promoting  the  king- 
"  dom  of  Christ,  in  those  dark  places  of  the 
*'  earth,  that  are  full  of  the  habitations  of  cruel- 
'^  ty.  And  it  having  been  represented  to  them, 
**  by  Mr.  Eleazar  Wheelock,  teacher  of  an  In- 
"  dian  charity  school,  at  Lebanon,  in  the  colony 
**  of  Connecticut,  in  New  England,  that  several 
"  well  disposed  persons  there,  would  gladly  con- 
"  tribute  to  further  the  above  design,  conforma- 
*'  bly  to  a  petition  transmitted  to  said  society  : 

''  Do  therefore  nominate  and  appoint  the  fol- 
'^  lowing  persons,  viz.  Jonathan  Huntington, 
*^  Esq,  of  Windham,   Elisha  Sheldon,  Esq.  of 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  S5 

^^  Litchfield,  Mr.  Samuel  Huntington,  attorney 
*'  at  law,  in  Norwich,  the  Rev.  Messrs.  Solo- 
'^  mon  Williams,  of  Lebanon,  Joseph  Fisk,  of 
"  Stonington,  Nathaniel  Eells,  of  Stonington, 
**  William  Gaylord,  of  Norwalk,  Samuel  Mosely, 
*'  of  Windham,  Eleazar  Wlieelock,  of  Lebanon, 
''  Benjamin  Pomroy,  of  Hebron,  Richard  Salter, 
''  of  Mansfield,  Nathaniel  Whi taker,  of  Nor- 
''  wich,  and  David  Jewett,  of  New  London,  as 
"  their  correspondents  in  the  Colony  of  Con- 
'^  necticut  aforesaid ;  authorizing  them  to  re- 
"  ceive  donations  from  well  disposed  persons, 
**  and  to  employ  the  same  for  promoting  chris- 
'*  tian  knowledge,  in  such  manner  as  shall  be 
^'  directed  by  the  donors,  and  failing  such  di- 
*'  rection,  to  devise  schemes  for  propagating  our 
''  holy  religion  among  the  Indians,  and  to  carry 
*^  them  into  execution.  They,  the  said  corres- 
"  pondents,  always,  from  time  to  time,  acquaint- 
"  ing  this  society  with  their  proceedings.  And 
"  the  said  Committee  of  Directors  hereby  de- 
'^  clare,  that  they  will,  so  far  as  circumstances 
"  permit,  give  all  due  encouragement  towards 
*^  forwarding  and  promoting  the  endeavours  of 
"  their  correspondents, 

*'  And  they  hereby  empower  their  said  corrcs- 
^^  pondents  to  appoint  the  time  and  place  of 
''  their  meetings,  to  choose  their  Proeses,  Treas- 
^'  urer.  Secretary,  Accomptant,  Comptroller, 
*'  Clerk,  and  other  officers,  and  to  do  every  thing 
^^  else,  necessary  for  carrying  this  laudable  pur- 
^^  pose  into  execution.  And  they  likewise  re- 
^*  commend  it  to  their  said  correspondents,  to 
*^  transmit  the  names  of  such  other  persons,  as 
"  they  judge  proper,  to  be  added  to  their  board, 
^'  that  the  said  Society  may  send  them  commis- 
"  sions,  to  the  effect  above  mentioned. 

"  Given  under  the  common  seal  of  the  said  so- 


36  MEMOIRS  or 


*^  ciety,  and  signed  by  the  Prceses  of  the  Com^ 
"  mittee  of  Directors,  and  Clerk  of  the  Society, 
*'  at  Edinburgh,  the  thirteenth  day  of  March, 
"  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  one  thousand  seven 
"  hundred  and  sixty  four." 

"James  Smollet,  Pisceses.'' 

*' Alexander  Stevenson,  Clerk,'' 

Two  years  previous  to  the  foregoing  comniis^ 
sion,  several  ministers  of  the  gospel,  living  in 
the  vicinity  of  Mr.  Wheelock  published  to  the 
world,  a  reconnnendatory  letter  of  his  design, 
expressing  their  wilUngness  to  promote  "  the 
noble  and  charitable  undertaking."  (g) 

Although  Mr.  Wheelock  began  the  charitable 
"business  at  his  own  risk,  numerous,  generous  be- 
nefactors, and  some  public  bodies,  soon  appear^ 
cd  to  assist  him  in  carrying  it  on.  The  Hon. 
Xegislature  of  Connecticut,  recommended  a  con- 
tribution in  all  the  congregations  throughout  the 
colony.  As  early  as  I76I,  the  Hon.  Scotch 
Commissioners,  in  Boston,  patronized  the  de^ 
sign,  and  directed  that  three  Indian  boys,  might 
"be  supported  at  the  school  for  a  season,  at  their 
expense.  The  General  Assembly  of  the  Pror 
vince  of  Massachusetts  also,  the  same  year, 
granted  the  avails  of  a  generous  legacy,  given 
by  Sir  Peter  Warren,  towards  the  support  of  six 
children  of  the  Six  Nations,  at  said  school. 
The  General  Assembly  of  New  Hampshire,  made 
a  handsome  donation  to  promote  the  design.. 
The  Hon.  London  Commissioners,  in  Boston, 
made  several  grants  for  the  same  purpose.  Con- 
tributions were  sent  in,  from  various  christiau 
congregations,  and  smaller  societies  in  the  neigh- 
boring colonies. 

Were  it  possible,  respect  to  the  individual 
benei^jtors   of  the  school,   would   demand  an 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  37 

honorable  mention  of  all  their  names.  Its 
friends  and  patrons  were  found  among  all  orders 
and  conditions  of  people.  While  some  favored 
it  with  their  mite,  others  gave  of  their  abund- 
ance. The  friends  of  the  Redeemer,  and  the 
souls  of  men,  who  promoted  the  generous  chari- 
ty, and  encouraged  its  benevolent  founder,  have, 
in  heaven,  received  the  glorious  reward  of  their 
works,  done  for  Christ  upon  earth.*  But  few  of 
them  are  now  living. 

The  fame  of  the  Indian  school  having  reach- 
ed Great  Britain  ;  he,  in  whose  hands  are  the 
hearts  of  all  men,  disposed  many  of  the  pious 
and  worthy,  to  contribute  to  the  furtherance  of 
the  design.  The  Right  Hon.  the  Marquis  of 
Lothian,  in  17^2,  sent  Mr.  Wheelock  a  donation 
of  one  hundred  pounds  sterling.  A  like  sum  was 
also  given  by  a  lady  in  England,  unknown.  The 
generosity  of  Messrs.  Samuel  Savage,  Charles 
liard}^,  and  the  Rev.  Doctor  Andrew  Gifford,  of 
London,  and  of  the  Rev.  Doctor  John  Erskine, 
and  Messrs.  William  Dickson,  and  Walter  Scott, 
of  Edinburgh,  ought  not  to  remain  unnoticed. 
It  cannot  be  invidious  to  mention  these  honora- 
ble and  worthy  benefactors,  because  they  were 
among  the  earliest  patrons  of  the  institution. 
The  friends  of  the  school,  both  in  England  and 
America,  whose  contributions  for  its  support,  at 
a  subsequent  period,  were  truly  liberal,  are  too 
numerous  to  be  here  recited.  So  far  as  they 
were  known,  they  are  recorded  in  the  printed 
narratives  of  the  school. 


*  Among  the  benefactors  of  the  school,  in  its  infancy,  were  Mr.  Johri: 
Smith,  merchant,  Mr.  Jonathan  Williams  and  Samuel  Austin,  Esq.  of 
Boston,  Lady  Pepperill,  of  Kittery,  Mr.  Moses  Little,  of  Newburyport, 
Hon.  John  Phillips,  of  Exeter,  Hon.  Robert  Hooper,  of  Marblehead, 
Benjamin  Pemberton,  Esq.  of  Roxbury,  Mr.  S.  Moor,  of  Mansfield,  Mrs. 
Anne  Bingham,  of  IViadham,  Doctor  Daniel  Lathrop,  of  Norwich,  Doctoir- 
iledman  of  Philadelphia,  and  many  of  the  clergy. 


38  MEMOIRS  OF 

On  the  fourth  of  July,  17^4,  the  board  of  cor- 
respondents, commissioned  by  the  society  in 
Scotland,  met  at  Lebanon,  accepted  their  ap- 
pointment, and  were  organized.  They  again 
met,  March  12  th,  17^5.  At  this  meeting,  two 
young  gentlemen,  Messrs.  Titus  Smith  and  The- 
ophilus  Chamberlain,  both  of  whom  had  finished 
their  education  at  Yale  College,  presented  them^ 
seh^es  for  examination,  as  candidates  for  thea'os- 
pel  ministry,  to  undertake  a  mission  to  the  Mo- 
hawks and  Oneidas.  They  were  approved,  and 
soon  after  ordained.  Eight  Indian  youths,  edu- 
cated in  the  school,  were,  at  the  same  meeting, 
examined,  and  found  fully  adequate  to  accompa- 
ny those  missionaries,  in  the  capacity  of  school- 
masters. They  had  learned  to  speak  the  Eng- 
lish language  with  considerable  facility;  they 
were  acquainted  with  the  rudiments  of  grammar, 
and  wrote  handsomely.  Their  appearance  and 
deportment  were  very  pleasing,  and  their  honor- 
ed patron  and  friends  were  ready  to  predict  their 
great  and  extensive  usefulness,  among  their  sa- 
vage countrymen.  Thus  early,  the  good  fruits 
of  Mr.  Wheelock's  charitable  institution  appear- 
ed  abundant. 

They  were  all  equipped  for  their  departure  to 
the  wilderness,  when  the  funds  of  the  school 
were  found  unexpectedly  exhausted,  and  means 
were  v/anting  to  defray  the  necessary  expenses 
of  their  journey.  Mr.  Wheelock  in  this,  as  in 
various  other  dilemmas  of  a  similar  compaction, 
proceeded  with  unshaken  confidence,  as  if  an 
adequate  fund  were  at  his  command.  As  he  had 
usually  been  supplied  at  the  most  critical  moment, 
in  some  unforeseen  manner;  so  in  this  instance, 
the  requisite  aid  was  furnished ;  the  missionaries 
and  their  companions  were  not  detained  ;  but  on 
the  day  prefixed,  they  departed  with  ample  sup- 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  S9 

plies.  The  Indians  of  several  villages  received 
them  with  respect;  schools  were  collected  and 
the  masters  appointed  to  them.*  The  mission- 
aries were  entrusted  with  the  patronage  of  these 
schools ;  they  treated  the  instructors  with  pa- 
rental kindness;  frequently  visited  them ;  coun- 
selled and  encouraged  them  in  their  important 
undertaking. 

The  whole  number  of  Mohawks  and  Oneida 
children,  received  into  the  several  schools,  a- 
mounted  to  one  hundred  and  twenty  seven. 
They  generally  appeared  fond  of  instruction,  and 
made  pleasing  progress.  The  Indian  masters 
were  attentive  to  their  schools  for  many  months. 
Some  of  them  however,  notwithstanding  the  best 
efforts  of  their  missionary  friends  and  patrons, 
unhappily  returned,  in  a  very  considerable  de- 
gree, to  those  roving  and  savage  habits,  from 
which  it  was  hoped  they  were  completely  res- 
cued. Others  maintained  their  integrity,  be- 
came respected,  and  remained  useful  to  their 
brethren.  As  a  specimen  of  disposition,  talents, 
and  acquirements,  extracts  from  two  or  three  of 
their  letters,  addressed  to  Mr.  Wheelock,  their 
friend  and  patron,  are  here  inserted. 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  David  Fowler,  of  the 
Montauk  tribe. 

^^  Kanavarohare,  in  Oneida,  June  15,  1765. 


<c 


HONORED  AND  REV.  SIR, 

"Tbis  is  the  twelfth  day  since  I  began  my 
scbool  ;  and  eight  of  my  scholars  are  now  in  the 
third  page  of  their  spelling  book.  I  never  saw 
children  exceed  these  in  learning.     The  number 

•  The  Indian  school  masters  were,  David  Fowler,  a  Montauk ;  Jo- 
seph Woolley  and  Hezekiah  Calvin,  Delawares;  Moses,  Peter  Johannus, 
Abraliam  primus,  and  Abraham  secundus,  Mohawks  j  Jacob  Fowler,  a 
Montauk,  was  also  soon  qualified,  and  went  afterwards  to  the  Oneida 
country,  in  the  same  capacitj-. 


40  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  my  scholars  is  twenty  six,  but  it  is  difficult 
to  keep  them  together ;  they  are  often  roving 
about  from  place  to  place  to  get  something  to 
live  upon.  I  am  also  teaching  a  singing  school. 
They  take  great  pleasure  in  learning  to  sing. 
We  can  already  carry  three  parts  of  several  tunes. 
I  am  vi^ell  contented  to  live  here,  so  long  as  I 
am  in  such  great  business.  I  believe  I  shall  per- 
suade the  men  in  this  castle,*  at  least  the  most 
of  them,  to  labor  next  year.  They  begin  now 
to  see,  that  they  would  live  better  if  they  culti- 
vated their  lands,  than  they  do  now  by  hunting 
and  fishing. 

I  ask  the  continuance  of  your  prayers,  that 
God  would  give  me  grace,  and  fill  my  heart  with 
love  of  God  and  compassion  to  perishing  souls  : 
and  that  God  would  make  me  an  instrument  of 
winning  many  souls  to  Christ,  before  I  leave  this 
world. 

Please  to  accept  much  love  and  respect,  from 
your  affectionate  and  unworthy  pupil, 

David  FowLER."f 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  Joseph  Woolley,  of  the 
Delaware  nation,  school  master  among  the 
Mohawks. 

"  Johnson-Hall,  July  1 7^^- 

"  REVEREND  AND    HONORED  SIR, 

''  The  language  of  my  heart  is  to  contribute 
the  little  mite  I  have,  to  the  living  God,  and  be 
in  his  service.  My  soul  seems  to  be  more  and 
more  upon  the  perishing  pagans  in  these  woods. 
I  long  for  the  conversion  of  their  souls,  and  that 
they  may  come  to  the  knowledge  of  the   Lord 

*  Indian  towns  are  sometimes    called  castles,  because  surrounded 
with  a  high  palisade. 

t  David  Fowler  is  now  living  at  Oneida,  an  industrious  farmer  and 
useful  man. 


BR.  VvHEELOCK,  41 

J^sus,  and  be  saved.  But  O,  what  reason  have 
I  to  be  ashamed  before  God,  and  confess  my  cor- 
rupt nature  and  lukewarmness  in  the  things  of 
rehgion,  that  I  Hve  no  nearer  to  him.  It  is  im- 
possible to  express  the  things  I  mean.  My 
lieart  feels  sorrow  for  the  poor  Indians,  that  they 
know^  no  more  about  a  crucified  Saviour  ;  and  I 
wish  I  was  made  able  to  teach  and  instruct 
them  ;  and  I  snail  do  whatever  lies  in  my  power 
to  teli  them  of  Christ,  as  long  as  I  tarry.  I  feel 
iashamed  that  I  have  done  no  more  towards  it. 
I  hope  you  enjoy  3'our  health,  which  I  wish 
may  long  continue,  I  have  no  more  to  add,  but 
that  I  beg  leave  to  subscribe  myself,  and  be  es- 
teemed, your  dutiful  and  most  humble  servant, 

Joseph  Woolley."* 

Tlie  missionaries  gave  pleasing  information, 
hy  letters,  from  time  to  time,  of  the  teachable 
disposition  of  the  Indians,  and  of  the  commen- 
dable exertions  of  the  school-masters  in  general. 

No  attempts  to  introduce  Christianity  among 
the  six  confederate  nations,  had  3'et  been  at- 
tempted, excepting  among  the  Mohawks  and 
Oaeidas,  The  others  seemed  inclined  to  oppose 
and  reject  all  offers  of  the  kind  from  protestants, 
Mr.  Samuel  Kirkland,  who  had  completed  his 
collegiate  education  at  Nassau  Hall,  set  outfroni 
Lebanon,  in  the  autumn  of  1765,  with  a  design 
to  penetrate  into  the  country  of  tlie  Senecas,  to 
learn  their  language,  and  conciliate  their  friend- 
sliip,  preparatory  to  undertaking  a  mission  among 
them.  They  were  the  most  remote  tribe  of  the 
confederacy,  and  in  a  more  savage  state  of  soci- 

*  He  possessed  an  amiable  disposition,  and  bis  manners  were  polish- 
ed. His  labors  were  soon  finished.  He  died  §hoit!y  after  the  date  ©f 
^his  letter. 

f> 


42  MEMOIRS  OF 

ety.  The  Six  Nations,  exclusive  of  the  Tusca- 
roras,  speak  the  same  radical  language,  in  cliiFer- 
ent  dialects.  Mr.  Kirkland  had  already  acquir- 
ed considerahle  knowledge  of  the  Mohawks^ 
which  has  a  great  affinity  to  the  language  of  the 
Senecas.  The  adventure  was  bold  and  hazard- 
ous. No  protestant  missionary  had  ever  pene- 
trated these  forests,  or  visited  this  tribe  of  fero- 
cious pagans.  This  gentleman  was  in  various 
respects,  peculiarly  qualified  for  the  arduous  task. 
He  possessed  uncommon  constitutional  strength 
and  vivacity,  a  mind  fearless  in  danger,  a  great 
fund  of  benevolence,  and  a  heart  devoted  to  the 
cause  of  the  Redeemer,  and  zealous  for  the  con- 
version of  the  heathen.  He  travelled  among 
those  barbarians,  unattended,  boldly  persevered 
in  the  good  work  ;  endured  trials  and  encounter- 
ed dangers,  which  would  have  appalled  a  com- 
in  on  mind  with  terror  and  dismay. 

Although  famine  spread  its  horrors  round  him, 
and  his  life  w^as  often  in  danger,  from  some,  who 
watched  an  opportunity  to  kill  him,  yet  he  con- 
tinued with  them  more  than  eighteen  months  ; 
taught  them  from  the  word  of  life,  and  acquired 
a  competent  knowledge  of  their  language.  The 
contempt  with  which  those  haughty  and  blood- 
thirsty warriors  first  beheld  him,  was  in  many 
instances,  converted  into  admiration  of  his  cour- 
age and  kindness,  and  some  individuals  became 
so  enauiored  with  him,  that  they  expressed  their 
desire  to  be  instructed  in  his  religion.  But  so 
unconquerable  was  the  rage  of  others  against 
]iim,  and  the  English  generally,  that  he  saw  no 
prospect  of  usefulness  or  safety.  He  therefore 
took  a  mission  to  the  Oneidas,  where,  for  many 
years,  he  continued  his  laborious  services,  liis 
faithful  and  successful  ministry.     Though  his 


DR.  WHEELOCK.       ,  43 

mission  is  closed  he  still  continues  preaching  to 
them. 

Mr.  Occum's  labors,  as  a  preacher,  were,  for 
several  years,  chiefly  bestowed  upon  the  Mohe- 
gan,  Montauk,  and  Narraganset  tribes,  with 
some  occasional  missions  to  the  Six  Nations, 
He  was  earnestly  invited  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Davis, 
of  Virginia,  afterwards  president  of  New  Jersey 
college,  to  go  among  the  numerous  nations  of 
the  Cherokees,  where  a  large  and  inviting  field 
of  labor  was  presented,  but  some  disturbances 
among  the  southern  Indians  prevented  his  com- 
pliance. 

The  Rev.  ]\Ir.  Buell,  of  Long  Island,  in  a  let- 
ter to  the  Rev  Mr.  Bostwick  of  New  York, 
speaking  of  Mr.  Occum,  says,  *'  As  a  speaker 
''  of  the  gospel,  he  seems  always  to  have  in  view 
"  the  end  of  the  ministry,  the  glory  of  God,  and 
"  the  salvation  of  men.  His  manner  of  expres- 
"  sion,  when  he  preaches  to  the  Indians,  is  vastly 
"  more  natural  and  free,  clear  and  eloquent, 
"  quick  and  powerful,  than  when  he  preaches  to. 
"others.  He  is  the  glory  of  the  Indian  nation. 
"  I  rejoice  in  the  grace  of  God  conferred  on  him, 
^'  and  admire  the  gospel  pearl  which  is  set,  not 
^^  in  the  heart  of  a  nobleman,  but  in  the  heart  of 
"'  one  born  a  pagan." 

Mr.  Wheelock,  speaking  of  his  popularity  a- 
mong  the  white  people,  feeling  great  interest  in 
his  usefidness,  and  fearing  the  effect  of  the  no- 
tice and  intimacy  with,  which  he  was  flattered,, 
with  earnestness  exclaimed,  "  May  God  merci- 
"  fully  preserve  him  from  falling  into  the  cou=- 
^'  demnation  of  the  devil" 


44  ^MEMOIRS  OF 


SECTION  V. 

MESSRf?.  WHITAKER  AND  OCCUM'S  MISSION  TO  GREAT  BRIT- 
AIN—THEIR SUCCESS— LORD  DARTMOUTH'S  PATRONAGE— 
BOARD  OF  TRUSTf^ES  IN  ENGLAND— PROPOSALS  FOR  RE- 
MOVING THF,  SCPIOOL— CFIARTER  FOR  A  COLLEGE  GRANT- 
ED—DR.  WHEELOCK'S  PASTORAL  RELATION  DISSOLVED. 

IN  America,  the  reputation  of  the  school  be- 
came great  and  extensive.  In  Great  Britain, 
many  pious  and  respectable  persons  commenced 
a  correspondence  with  Mr.  Wheelock,  and  sent 
him  donations  of  money,  books,  and  clothing, 
for  his  Indian  boys.  The  number  of  students, 
anissionaries,  and  school  masters,  who  depended 
npon  him  for  support,  increased  beyond  the  ex- 
tent of  the  ordinary  supplies.  Further  exertions 
on  his  part  were  required  to  obtain  the  means  of 
pursuing  his  favorite  object.  He,  therefore,  with 
the  advice  and  concurrence  of  the  board  of  cor- 
respondents, concluded  to  send  Mr.  Occum  to 
Great  Britain.  The  Kev.  Nathaniel  Whitaker, 
of  Norwich,  was  appointed  to  accompany  him,, 
to  solicit  benefactions  for  the  Indian  School. 
They  accordingly  went,  carrying  with  them  tes-. 
timonials,  by  which  they  and  the  school  were 
highly  recommended  by  many  of  the  most  res- 
pectable persons  in  America. 

Mr.  Occum  was  the  first  Indian  preacher,  who 
had  ever  been  welcomed  to  the  shore  of  Eng- 
land. With  .great  applause  he  preached  in  Lon- 
don, and  the  principal  cities  of  England  and 
Scotland,  to  nmvierous  audiences  of  different  de- 
nominations. Wherever  he  preached,  generous, 
contributions  were  made  for  the  school. 

Divine  Providence  disposed  the  hearts  of  all 
orders  of  men,  to  contribute  to  the  ^benevolent 
design.     By  the  influence,  and  at  the  sohcitatiou 


DR.  ^VilEELOCK.  45 

of  that  piou>,  and  very  respectable  nobleman, 
theEARLof  Daktmouth,  the  King  condescend- 
ed to  patronize  it,  by  a  royal  donation  of  two 
hundred  potincU  Si  eiHing.  Several  noblemen  and 
gentlemen  followed  the  example  of  his  Majesty. 
About  seven  thousand  pounds  steriing,  were  col- 
lected in  England,  and  between  two  and  three 
tlioiisand  in  Scotland. 

The  success  of  the  mission  must,  in  a  great 
measure,  be  attributed  to  IMr.  Occuni.  He 
presented  himself  to  the  British  nation,  a  living 
sample  of  v;ell  directed  endeavours  to  christian- 
ize the  Indians.  He  was  in  other  respects  well 
calculated  to  conciliate  the  esteem  of  respectable 
and  religious  persons,  and  the  love  of  mankind 
in  general.  His  features  and  complexion  bore 
every  characteristic  mark  of  an  iVmerican  In- 
dian ;  but  his  deportment  in  the  pulpit  com- 
manded attention  and  respect.  His  composi- 
tions were  easy,  figurative,  and  impressive.  With 
a  modest  assurance,  he  appeared  impressed  with 
the  importance  of  his  subject.  He  usually  wrote 
his  serm.ons,  but  could  extemporize  with  readi- 
ness. He  was  devout  and  solemn  in  prayer ;  in 
private  life,  agreeable  and  exemplary;  easy  and 
unassuming  in  conversation,  his  thoughts  were 
expressed  in  pertinent  and  laconic  language. 

A  great  number  of  very  respectable  civilians 
and  divines,  both  of  the  established  and  presby- 
terian  churches  in  England,  satisfied  with  the 
goodness  of  the  design,  and  fully  convinced  of 
its  importance,  publi>,hed  an  ample  testimonial 
in  its  favor.  The  Right  Hon.  Lord  Dartmouth, 
and  several  gentlemen  of  the  hi o>hcst  character, 
m  and  near  London,  were  constituted  a  Board 
of  Trustees  of  the   monies   contributed  for  tha 


46  MEMOIRS  OF 

school,   to  be  drawn  by  Mr.  Wheelock,  as  he 
should  have  need,* 

The  following  is  an  extract  from  a  declaration 
published  by  the  Trustees  in  England,  dated 
London,  January  £8th,  1767- 

''  We,  whose  names  are  underwritten,  being 
appointed  Trustees,  and  to  receive  the  monies 
that  have  been  or  shall  be  collected,  &c.  for  the 
use  of  the  llev.  Mr.  Wheelock's  Indian  Charity 
School,  &c.  do  warmly  recommend  this  pious 
and  useful  institution  to  the  benevolent  and 
charitable  of  all  denominations  in  this  King- 
dom, &c. 

^DARTMOUTH,  presidrnt, 
i  CHARLES  HOTHAM, 
I  JGHxNT  THORNTON,  treasurer;, 
f  SAMUEL  ROFFY, 
SIc^ED,      <  CHARLES  HARDY^ 
I  DANIEL  WEST, 
f  SAMUEL  SAVAGE, 
I  JOSIAH  ROBERTS, 
^KOBERT  KEEN,  secretary." 

The  monies  collected  in  North  Britain,  were 
placed  under  the  care  of  the  Hon.  Society  in 
Scotland,  for  propagating  christian  knowledge. 

The  University  of  Edinburgh,  as  a  testimoni- 
al of  their  high  respect  for  the  character  of  Mr. 
Wheel ock,  conferred  on  him  the  degree  of  Doc- 
tor in  Divinity. 

By  the  smiles  of  Providence,  on  his  applica- 
tion for  charity,  in  Great  Britain,  Doctor  VVhee- 
lock  saw  his  means  of  advancing  in  his  arduous 
work  increasing,  he  accordingly,  without  delay, 
enlarged  his  plans  of  usefulness. 

The  school,  although  wisely  regulated,  was  not 
furnished  with  endowments  and  privileges,  suf- 

*  The  appointment  and  declaration  of  this  Board;  may  be  found  in  a 
School  Narrative;  of  1769. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  47 

iicient  to  afford  the  students  such  a  course  of 
studies  as  was  thought  necessary  for  preachers  of 
the  gospel.  Several  of  them  had  already  been 
placed  in  distant  colleges  to  finish  their  educa- 
tion. As  it  was  necessary  the  school,  as  such, 
should  be  continued  for  instruction  in  lower 
"branches,  it  was  therefore  thought  best,  that  a 
college,  in  connection  with  it,  should  be  found- 
ed, that  the  extended  design  of  the  institution 
might  be  more  perfectly  accomplished.  The 
place  where  the  school  was  situated,  was  not  eli- 
gible for  this  purpose.  It  was  nearly  central  to 
the  colony  of  Connecticut,  in  which  was  early 
planted  a  college,'^  then  in  a  flourishing  condi- 
tion. By  removing  to  some  remote  part  of  the 
3iew  forming  settlements,  large  tracts  of  land 
might  be  more  easily  acquired,  the  improve- 
ment and  rising  value  of  which,  would  yield  a 
permanent  fund  for  its  future  support.  A  more 
expeditious  and  less  expensive  intercourse  with 
the  missionaries  and  school  masters,  in  the  coun- 
try of  the  Indians,  and  the  prospect  of  its  great 
and  extensive  utility,  in  the  education  of  gentle- 
men from  various  parts  in  its  vicinity,  were  con- 
templated as  reasons  for  its  removal. 

Dr.  ^ylleelock,  the  Board  of  Correspondents 
concurring,  after  deliberation,  resolved  to  remove 
the  school,  and,  in  connection  with  it  to  found  a 
college.  With  this  view,  he  organized  it  as  such, 
in  1768,  and  employed  a  tutor,t  for  those  who 
were  of  college  standing.  The  place  for  its  ne^r 
establishment,   was  for  some  time  a  subject  of 

*  Yale  College,  founded  Anno  1700. 

t  The  late  Hon.  Bezaleel  "Woodward,  was  then  appointed  tutor  in 
the  college  department,  and  employed  as  an  assistant  in  the  care  of 
the  external  concerns  of  the  school.  He  accompanied  it  afterwards  tO' 
Hnnover,  and  continued  his  useful  and  important  exertions  for  the  wel- 
fare of  the  institution,  in  various  oitices  under  it,  until  his  death,  in- 1504-, 


4S  MEMOIR^  Oi? 

deliberation.  Generous  offers  were  inade  to  in-^ 
duce  the  removal  of  it  to  different  and  distant 
towns.  General  Lyrnan,  who  was  then  in  Eng- 
land, soliciting  a  government  and  lands  on  the, 
Mississippi,  for  himself  and  the  officers  of  the 
American  army,  in  the  late  French  Avar,  which 
]ie  finally  obtained,  was  very  desirous  it  should , 
be  removed  within  the  limits  of  his  grant ;  but 
the  death  of  the  worthy  General  put  an  end  to 
the  progress  of  his  plan. 

His  Excellency  Francis  Barnard,  Governor  of 
i\Iassachusetts,  and  two  other  gentlemen,  offered 
a  considerable  tract  of  land  for  its  establishment 
in  the  county  of  Berkshire.*  A  generous  sub- 
scription was  made  for  it,  by  the  inhabitants  of 
Stockbridge,  and  other  towns  in  the  vicinit}.'}' 
A  still  larger  subscription,  was  offered  by  the 
city  of  Albany,  to  induce  its  removal  to  that 
place;'!  ^^^  ^^^^  most  inviting  prospects  were  in 
the  western  part  of  New  Hampshire,  on  the  riv- 
er Connecticut.  His  Excellency  Governor  John 
Wentv/orth,  generously  offered  a  valuable  loca- 
tion for  the  proposed  college  and  school,  consist- 
ing of  five  hundred  acres,  in  the  town  of  Hano- 
ver, and  a  charter  of  a  township  of  twenty  four 
thousand  acres,  and  also  his  agency  to  procure  a 
royal  charter  f(ir  a  college.  Lands  and  monies 
were  subscribed  by  individual  gentlemen  in  New 
Hampshire  and  the  adjacent  parts  of  Vermont. 

Doctor  Wheelock  transmitted  to  the  Earl  of 
Dartmouth,  and  the  other  trustees  of  the  school 
in  England,  a  representation  of  the  different 
places  proposed,  and  the  various  proposals  re- 

*  Two  thousand  eight  hundred  acres, 

t  Eight  hundred  pounds  sterling. 

t  Two  thousand  three  hundred  pounds. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  49 

ceived,  and  desired  their  advice  on  the  suhject. 
They  recommended  the  western  parts  of  New- 
Hampshire,  leaving  with  him  the  election  of  the 
particular  site. 

His  next  object  was  to  obtain  the  necessary 
charter  of  a  college ;  such  as  would  be  reputa- 
ble for  the  youth,  who  might  receive  an  educa- 
tion, with  a  view  to  their  public  service  in  the 
churches  of  Christ.  He  applied,  by  an  agent, 
to  Governor  Wentworth,  informing  him  of  his 
purpose,  to  remove  the  college  and  school  into 
his  province,  requesting  his  patronage,  and  a 
charter  of  incorporation  for  a  college,  as  proposed. 
This  information  was  pleasing  to  the  Governor, 
and  a  full  compliance  with  the  request  accompa- 
nying it,  was  grateful  to  the  generous  mind  of 
Governor  Wentworth,  and  he  cordially  gave  it 
all  possible  encouragement.  His  uncle,  and  im- 
mediate predecessor  in  the  government,  his  Ex- 
cellency Benjamin  Wentworth,  had  given  a  va- 
luable tract  of  five  hundred  acres,  in  the  souther- 
ly part  of  Hanover,  if  the  proposed  college  should 
be  established  in  New  Hampshire.  The  propri- 
etors of  Lebanon  also  gave  about  fourteen  hun- 
dred acres,  contiguous  to  that  tract. 

Towards  the  close  of  17^9?  a  charter  was  issu- 
ed by  Gov.  John  Wentworth  for  a  college,  which 
"^vas  endowed  with  ample  privileges,  and  all  the 
honors  and  immunities  of  any  university  within 
the  British  realm.  Doctor  Wheelock  was  creat- 
ed its  president.  A  charter  of  Landaff  was  also 
given  to  the  college,  a  township  containing 
tw^enty  four  thousand  acres,  situated  a  few  miles 
easterly  of  Connecticut  river,  and  forty  norther- 
ly of  Hanover. 

The  principal  gentlemen  of  the  province,  and 
also  of  the  western  section  of  Vermont,  then  cal- 
7 


so  MEMOIRS  OF 

led  the  New  Hampshire  grants,  now  offered  liber- 
al subscriptions,  both  of  lands  and  money,  to  en- 
courage the  institution.  And  to  render  more 
certain  its  permanency,  in  so  central  a  situation^ 
in  relation  to  both  of  those  States,  some  tracts 
were  given  to  the  school,  and  others  to  the  col- 
lege. 

As  a  testimonial  of  respect  for  that  illustrious 
and  noble  Lord,  William,  Earl  of  Dartmouth, 
one  of  the  first  patrons  and  benefactors  of  the 
school,  in  England,  it  was  named  Dartmouth 
College. 

In  Forbes'  life  of  Dr.  Beattie  is  the  following 
colloquy,  between  the  King  of  England  and  Dr, 
Beattie.     His  Majesty  asked  what  I  thought  of 
my  acquaintance,  Lord  Dartmouth.  I  said,  there 
was  something  in  his  air  and  manner,  which  I 
thought  not  only  agreeable,  but  enchanting,  and 
that  he   seemed   to  me  to  be  one  of  the  best  of 
men.     A  sentiment  in  which  both  their   Majes- 
ties,  the   Queen  being  present,  heartily  joined. 
They  say  that  Lord  Dartmouth  is  an  enthusiast, 
said  the  King,  but  surely  he  says  nothing  on  the 
subject  of  rehgion,  but  what  every  christian  may 
and  ought  to  say.     How  honorable  was  this  dec- 
laration to  Lord  Dartmouth ;  how  honorable  for 
the  royal  personage,  who  has,  for  more  than  half 
a  century  swayed  the  sceptre  of  Britain.     What 
a  contrast  between  his  pious  language,  and  the 
blasphemies  of  those  who  have  waded  to  empire 
through  the  blood  of  their  country.     The  follow- 
ing instructive  anecdote,  is  related  of  Lord  Dart- 
mouth.     The  King  and  some  Noblemen  had 
agreed  to  take  an  early  morning  ride.      Tliey 
waited  a  few  minutes   for  the  arrival  of  Lord 
Dartmouth.     One   of  the   company  gently  re- 
minded him  of  his  delay ;  his  Lordship  replied^ 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  51 

^'^  I  have  learned  to  wait  on  the  King  of  Kings, 
^^  before  I  wait  on  my  earthly  sovereign." 

In  the  spring  of  1770,  Doctor  Wheelock,  ac- 
companied by  t^e  Rev.  Mr.  Pomroy,  and  Samu- 
el Gilbert,  Esq.  set  out  to  explore  the  western 
parts  of  New  Hampshire,  which  were  then  a 
mere  wilderness,  to  fix  upon  the  most  ehgible 
place  for  the  school  and  college.  They  travelled 
more  than  two  hundred  miles  up  the  riv^r  Con- 
necticut and  made  various  excursions,  of  fifty 
and  sixty  miles  from  it,  to  towns  which  were 
proposed.  After  a  fatiguing  tour  of  eight  weeks, 
he  finally  gave  the  preference  to  Hanover,  where 
the  institution  now  continues.  The  Board  of 
Trustees  of  the  college^  confirmed  his  choice,  but 
a  removal  was  still  to  be  effected. 

Doctor  Wheelock  was  at  this  time,  in  the  six- 
tyfirst  year  of  his  age ;  a  period  of  life  when  a 
man  usually  wishes  for  retirement  from  busy 
scenes,  to  enjoy  repose.  But  the  same  zeal  for 
the  glory  of  God,  in  the  conversion  of  the  hea- 
then, and  the  diffusion  of  religion  and  useful 
science,  which  at  first  excited  him  to  begin  the 
school,  now  animated  him  to  encounter  untried 
labors  and  hardships.  He  believed  God  called 
him  to  proceed,  and  had  confidence  he  would 
carry  him  through  his  work. 

Soon  after  his  return  from  his  exploring  tour, 
an  ecclesiastical  council  was  convened,  at  the  re- 
quest of  Doctor  Wheelock,  and  his  church,  at 
Lebanon,  to  dissolve  his  pastoral  relation  to  them, 
which  had  subsisted  in  great  harmony,  more  than 
thirty  years.  So  clear  was  the  call  for  his  re- 
moval, that  all  objections  were  silenced.  The 
parting  scene  was  afflictive,  both  to  the  worthy 
pastor  and  his  flock.  They  loved  and  reverenced 
him,  their  spiritual  father  and  friend,  who  had 


52  MEMOIRS  OF 

SO  long  continued  their  faithful  instructor  in  the 
school  of  Cl:irist,  and  taught  them  by  doctrines 
and  example,  the  path  to  heaven. 

Several  families  in  the  place,  afterwards  re- 
moved and  settled  around  him,  to  enjoy  the  hap- 
piness they  derived  from  his  friendship  and  in- 
struction. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  S3 

SECTION  VI. 
REMOVAL  TO  HANOVER— HARDSHIPS— LANDS  CLEARED. 

POSSESSING  a  competence  of  property,  by 
patrimony  and  by  marriage,  and  in  the  full  en- 
joyment of  social  and  domestic  comforts,  Doc- 
tor Wheelock  exhibited  uncommon  fortitude,  at 
such  an  advanced  age,  to  travel  one  hundred 
and  sev^enty  miles,  and  take  up  his  abode  in  a 
dreary  wilderness.  This  he  did  from  no  other 
motive  than  to  be  useful  to  mankind.  This  in- 
stance of  disinterested  zeal  is  rarely  equalled. 

A  short  time  previous  to  the  departure  of  the 
school  from  Lebanon,  two  Oneida  Indians  ar- 
rived at  Lebanon,  sent  by  the  head  men  of  their 
nation,  to  bring  home  their  boys,  ostensibly  for 
the  purpose  of  visiting  their  friends  ;  but,  as  it 
afterwards  appeared,  really  from  an  apprehension 
that  they  were  on  the  verge  of  war  with  the 
English.  The  dreams  of  their  chiefs  ;  noises  in 
the  air  of  peculiar  tone,  either  real  or  imaginary, 
and  other  appearances  of  nature,  were  construed 
by  them  into  signs  and  omens  of  bloodshed. 
Such  is  the  superstition  of  pagans. 

This  event  was  at  first  unwelcome  and  per- 
plexing to  Doctor  Wheelock,  especially  as  there 
was  then  a  general  attention  to  the  subject  of 
rehgion,  among  his  pupils.  He  however,  view- 
ed it  a  providential  occurrence,  favoring  the  re- 
moval of  the  institution,  liberating  him  for  a 
season,  from  that  care  of  them,  which,  in  his 
unsettled  state,  would  have  been  difficult,  faith- 
fully to  exercise. 

In  the  month  of  August,  1/70,  entrusting  the 
care  of  their  removal  to  Mr.  Woodward,  who  then 
officiated  as  a  tutor,  he  set  out  for  Hanover,  to 


54  J41i'M0IRS  OF 

provide  the  necessary  accommodation  for  his  fa- 
mily and  school.  They  soon  after  followed  him. 
A  part  of  his  family  travelled  in  a  coach,  pre- 
sented him  by  a  very  respectable  friend  in  Lon- 
don ;  his  pupils  performed  the  tour  on  foot ' 
The  roads,  as  they  advanced  northward,  were 
found  in  a  very  rough  and  unfinished  state,  and 
in  many  places  it  was  with  difficulty  they  passed. 
On  their  arrival,  he  welcomed  them  to  the  spot 
where  he  was  to  begin  his  labors,  and  where  he 
expected  to  terminate  his  days.  It  was  an  ex- 
tensive plain,  shaded  by  lofty  pines,  with  no  ac- 
commodations, except  two  or  three  small  huts^ 
composed  of  logs,  and  no  house  on  that  side  of 
the  river,  within  two  miles,  through  one  conti- 
nued, dreary  wood. 

The  Doctor,  like  a  venerable  patriarch,  sur- 
rounded by  his  affectionate  family  and  pupils, 
looked  around  him,  and  the  serenity  of  his  coun- 
tenance dispelled  the  gloom.  His  mind  rose  to 
the  level  of  the  difficulties  before  him,  and  with 
the  activity  and  enterprize  of  youth,  he  laid  out 
plans  of  buildings,  selected  their  sites,  and  with 
his  presence  and  advice  animated  the  laborers, 
hastening  their  operations,  that  his  dependants 
might  be  sheltered  against  the  approaching  seve- 
rity of  the  season.  The  number  of  souls  then 
with  him  was  about  seventy.  A  few  acres  of 
pines  had  been  felled  before  their  arrival.  Log 
houses  were  soon  constructed,  and  a  small  framed 
house  was  begun,  designed  for  the  reception  of 
Doctor  Wheelock  and  his  family.  The  frame  of 
a  college,  eighty  feet  in  length,  and  two  stories 
in  height,  was  soon  after  raised,  and  partially 
covered ;  a  liall,  and  two  or  three  rooms  in  it 
were  considerably  advanced,  when  the  autum- 
nal storms,  setting  in  earlier  than  usual,  put  a 
stop  to  the  work  of  the  builders. 


DR.  WHE£LOCK.  55 

The  sufferings  of  this  little  colony,  and  its' 
worthy  founder,  were  not  inconsiderable  during 
several  months  from  their  arrival,  and  even  to 
the  following  spring.  Their  removal  proved  too 
late  in  the  season,  and  preparations  for  their  re- 
ception, from  various  circumstances,  were  far 
from  that  state  of  forwardness,  which  was  in- 
tended. Failing  to  obtain  water  by  digging  wells 
near  where  their  first  house  was  erected,  he  was 
compelled  to  change  its  situation,  after  the  arri- 
val of  his  family.  Many  were  necessitated  to 
sleep  several  nights  on  the  ground,  with  boughs 
of  trees  for  beds,  and  sheltered  from  the  nightly 
dews  and  rains,  by  a  few  boards  raised  over  them" 
on  poles.  The  country  all  around  was  new,  and 
the  few  dispersed  inhabitants  poor.  Such  is 
commonly  the  condition  of  the  first  settlers  of  a 
new  soil.  In  clearing  the  ground,  and  making  it 
productive  of  necessary  food  for  man  and  beast^ 
and  constructing  buildings  to  shelter  them  from 
the  elements,  they  are  obliged  for  a  few  years 
to  submit  to  much  toil  and  hardship ;  after 
which,  they  see  with  pleasure  an  annual  increase 
of  wealth  and  enjoyments.  The  prospect  of  ac- 
quiring these  stimulates  exertion  ;  and,  although 
their  condition  appears  by  no  means  enviable,  no 
people  are  more  cheerful  or  happier  than  the  first 
settlers  of  a  wilderness. 

Accommodations  had  been  retarded,  as  was 
suggested,  by  disappointment  in  not  finding  wa- 
ter, where  the  first  experiments  were  made.  Af- 
ter digging  more  than  sixty  feet  in  that  part  of 
the  plain  where  they  first  began  to  clear  the 
ground,  and  finding  no  stream  or  fountain  near, 
they  removed  sixty  rods  southerly,  where  they 
found  water  at  a  convenient  depth.  Had  their 
wells  failed  of  v/ater  here,  they  were  not  very 


36  MEMOIRS  OF 

distant  from  a  beautiful  perennial  stream,  which 
runs  along  the  declivity  of  the  plain. 

On  that  stream  Doctor  Wheelock  had  direct- 
ed a  saw  and  grist  mill  to  be  built,  but  by  some 
failure  in  the  construction,  they  did  not  answer 
any  valuable  purpose.  In  this  new  scene  of 
life,  he  felt  much  anxiety  for  the  comfort  of  his 
numerous  dependants.  He  was  obliged  to  send 
a  great  distance  into  Massachusetts  and  Con- 
necticut, for  necessary  provisions,  and  by  un- 
toward accidents,  and  at  that  season,  from  the 
badness  of  the  roads,  supplies  were  sometimes 
scanty,  and  they  submitted  to  coarse  fare. 

Upon  a  circular  area  of  about  six  acres,  the 
pines  were  soon  felled,  and  in  all  directions  co- 
vered the  ground  to  the  height  of  about  five 
feet.*  Paths  of  communication  were  cut  through 
them.  The  lofty  tops  of  the  surrounding  forests 
were  often  seen  bending  before  the  northern 
tempest,  while  the  air  below  was  still  and  pierc- 
ing. The  snow  lay  four  feet  in  depth,  between 
four  and  five  months.  The  sun  was  invisible  by 
reason  of  the  trees,  until  risen  many  degrees  a- 
bove  the  horizon.  In  this  secluded  retreat,  and 
in  these  humble  dwellings,  this  enterprizing  co- 
lony passed  a  long  and  dreary  winter.  The  stu- 
dents pursued  their  studies  with  diligence  ;  con- 
tentment and  peace  were  not  interrupted,  even 
by  murmurs. 

The  venerable  president  directed  the  attention 
of  his  pupils  to  the  signal  smiles  of  heaven  up- 
on the  institution,  which  were  witnessed  by  its 
rapidly  increasing  prosperity  from  a  small  be- 
ginning, through  seemingly  insurmountable  dis- 
couragements. He  observed  to  them  that,  the 
cause,  he   doubted  not,  was  the  cause  of  God; 

*  The  author  measured  one  of  those  pines,  which  was  from  the  bntt 
to  the  top,  two  hundred  and  seventy  feet. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  57 

that  he  would  own  and  succeed  it ;  and  that  his 
great  concern  in  the  whole  business  was,  to  fol- 
low the  pointings  of  his  providence.  He  de- 
rived support  from  the  example  of  the  prophet 
Elisha  (ii.  Kings,  vi.  1 — 7-)  who  founded  a  col- 
lege, or  school  of  propJiets  in  the  uildemess  of 
Jordan^  by  the  divine  direction,  for  the  preser- 
vation and  diffusion  of  true  religion,  and  in  cir- 
cumstances bearing  considerable  analogy  to  his. 
In  the  midst  of  the  unpleasant  scenes  of  this  first 
winter,  it  pleased  God  to  grant  a  token  of  his  fa- 
vorable presence,  by  an  uncommon  solemn  at- 
tention of  the  students,  and  others  of  his  family, 
to  the  great  concerns  of  their  salvation.  JMany 
of  them  became  the  hopeful  subjects  of  renewing 
grace,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  President  and  the 
friends  of  religion.  In  the  month  of  January, 
1771,  he,  to  use  his  own  expression,  gathered 
a  church  in  his  college  and  school,  consisting  of 
about  thirty  members,  who  cheerfully  entered 
into  solemn  covenant,  by  a  dedication  of  them- 
selves to  God  and  a  religious  life. 

The  gloomy  face  of  winter  assumed  for  a  sea- 
son a  milder  aspect.  The  weather  was  more 
temperate  and  pleasant,  so  that  the  workmen 
had  opportunity  to  render  the  buildings  more 
convenient  and  secure.  Sometimes,  standing  in 
the  open  air,  at  the  head  of  his  numerous  family, 
Doctor  Wheelock  presented  to  God,  their  morn- 
ing and  evening  prayers  ;  the  surrounding  forest, 
for  the  first  time,  reverberated  the  solemn  sounds 
of  supplication  and  praise. 

Numerous  hands  w^re  employed,  during  the 
succeeding  summer,  in  cutting  and  piling  the 
timber,  with  a  view  to  burn  it,  but  the  fire 
could  not  consume  it  until  the  second  year, 
when  it  was  more  thoroughly  dried.  After  the 
trees  were  removed  the  ground  remained  cover- 


58  MEMOIRS  OF 

ed  with  stumps,  the  digging  of  which,  and  con- 
veying them  away,  presented  a  still  greater  task 
than  that  ah'eady  accomplished.  Dr,  Wheelock, 
desirous  to  derive,  as  soon  as  possible,  the  neces- 
sary provision  from  the  soil,  to  free  himself  from  ' 
irksome  uncertainty  as  to  supplies,  very  early 
employed  a  large  number  of  laborers  on  the  col- 
lege and  school  lands  in  the  vicinity. 

Those  unacquainted  with  the  business  of 
clearing  new  lands,  in  a  country  so  heavily  tim- 
bered, and  preparing  them  for  seed,  can  form 
but  an  imperfect  idea  of  the  requisite  labor  and 
expence.  Large  sums  were  thus  necessarily  ex- 
pended. It  unfortunately  happened  that  the 
lands  cleared  for  pasturage  and  grass,  were  in  a 
year  or  two  covered  with  a  wild,  exuberant 
growth  of  wood,  particularly  the  maple  and  cher- 
ry tree,  and  in  a  few  years  the  labor  of  clearing 
the  second  time,  became  greater  than  the  first. 

The  remarkable  occurrences  attending  the  re- 
moval of  the  school  and  college,  and  their  estab- 
lishment at  Hanover,  cannot  be  fully  and  clearly 
described,  nor  can  they  be  conceived  except  by 
those  who  have  witnessed  similar  scenes.  The 
temper  and  spirit  of  the  time  may  in  some  de- 
gree be  imagined  from  a  poem,  written  by  one  of 
the  students  on  the  spot,  a  member  of  the  senior 
class,*  which  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  insert 
in  the  appendix,  (h) 

*  Rev.  Levi  Frisbie,  late  of  Ipswich,  now  deceased. 


^ 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  59 


SECTION  VII. 

• 

GOVERNOR  WENTWORTH's  FRIENDSHIP  TO  THE  COLLEGE— 
TvlISSIONARIES  CO  FORTH  AMONG  DISTANT  TRIBl.S— ARE 
DRIVEN  BACK— WAR  BETWEEN  GRKAT  BRITAIN  AND  THE  CO- 
LONIES—COLLEG  J :  AND  SCHOOL  POSSESS  APPROPRIATE 
FUNDS. 

DESIROUS  of  conferring  on  the  institution 
every  advantage  of  respectability  in  the  province, 
Governor  Went  worth  proposed  to  give  it  civil 
jurisdiction,  by  an  incorporation,  over  three 
3niles  square.  His  chief  design  was  to  secure, 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  College,  the  settlement  of 
good  inhabitants,  and  to  shut  out  those  whose 
influence  and  example  might  give  chsturbance 
to  the  govern n^ent  of  the  College,  or  become  in- 
jurious to  the  morals  of  the  students.  The  agi- 
tated condition  of  political  affairs,  which  pre- 
ceded the  American  revolution,  prevented  the  ex- 
ecution of  this  salutary  establishment.  He  con- 
ferred on  Doctor  Wheelock  a  special  commission 
of  Justice  of  the  quorum.  He  granted  to  tlie 
College  a  charter  of  the  ferry  over  Connecticut 
river,  at  Hanover. 

At  the  time  the  College  and  School  were  es- 
tablished in  Newhampshire,  no  public  literary 
institution  existed  in  that  province.  The  Gov- 
ernor appreciated  the  advantages  of  so  respectable 
a  seminary,  to  diffuse  the  blessings  of  science  and 
morals  among  the  people  of  his  government,  wiio 
were  in  the>^e  respects,  with  the  exception  of 
some  very  respectable  literary  characters,  rather 
behind  some  of  the  neighboring  colonies.  Most 
of  the  settlements  were  more  recent,  and  the 
county  enjoyed  few  advantages  for  intellectual 
improvement. 

Governor  Wentworth  was  universally  respect- 
ed by  the  people  of  his  government,  and  did  much 


60  MEMOIRS  OF 

to  promote  their  prosperity.  Doctor  Wheelock 
viewed  the  friendship  and  patronage  of  his  Ex- 
cellency as  a  favorable  providence  in  the  ad- 
vancement of  his  benevolent  design.  In  his  nar- 
rative of  the  College  he  notices  him  as  one* 
*^  whom  God  had  raised  up  to  serve  the  interest  of 
religion,  and  to  be  umvearied  in  doing  good'' 

He  was  not  only  a  good  man,  but  an  excellent 
Governor.  Had  he  continued  in  oflQce,  it  is  not 
easy  to  calculate  what  would  have  been  the  phy- 
sical and  moral  improvements  of  the  state.  He 
attended  the  two  first  commencements  at  Dart- 
mouth College,  and  did  every  thing  in  his  pow- 
er to  encourage  and  assist  the  pious  designs  of 
President  Wheelock.  He  was  studious  to  pro- 
mote every  interest  of  the  province,  unwearied 
in  his  labors  to  open  roads,  to  improve  the  culti- 
vation of  the  lands,  to  establish  seminaries,  and 
to  promote  other  useful  objects.  At  the  first 
commencement  the  royal  Governors  had  become 
unpopular  in  the  country,  from  a  suspicion  of 
their  designs  against  the  liberties  of  the  people. 
A  retinue  of  gentlemen  from  Portsmouth  and  the 
vicinity,  attended  Mr.  Wentworth  through  the 
almost  trackless  forests  on  this  occasion.  Among 
these  was  Mr.  Samuel  Moody,  from  Byfield,  long 
the  celebrated  Preceptor  of  Dummer  Academy 
in  that  parish,  which  was  the  first  established  in 
New  England,  and  now  holds  a  respectable 
place  among  other  seminaries  of  the  same  rank. 
Though  Mr.  Moody  was  often  tormentingly  op- 
pressed with  hypocliondriac  melancholy,  he  was 
generally  remarkable  for  his  clieerlulness,  aifabi- 
lity,  and  good  humor.  Never  very  ceremonious 
in'his  habits,  and  not  a  little  elated  with  the  sa- 
tisfaction of  having  been  the  preceptor  of  many, 
who  had  then  become  the  shining  characters  of 
the  time,  a  great  part  of  whom  are  now  the  hope 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  6l 

and  honor  of  the  country,  Mr.  iMoody  always 
felt  himself  perfectly  at  home  in  the  most  re- 
spectable and  splendid  circles.  On  this  occasion 
his  wit  and  fund  of  anecdotes,  served  much  to 
enliven  the  company,  during  their  continuance 
at  Hanover,  and  on  their  journey.  When  they 
were  ready  to  depart,  the  Governor  being  in  con- 
versation with  Doctor  Wheelock,  Mr.  Moody 
stepped  to  him,  in  his  usual  earnest  manner,  hold- 
ing his  whip  erect,  to  inform  him  that  the  com- 
pany were  w^aiting.  Some  person  pleasantly 
asked  Mr.  Moody  whether  he  observed  that  he 
held  his  whip  over  the  Governor's  back  ;  ''  1  beg 
his  Excellency's  pardon,"  said  he,  "I  believe  he 
deserves  the  whip  less  than  any  Governor  on  the 
continent."  Though  Mr.  Moody  was  often  very 
free  with  his  friends,  yet  he  would  not  design- 
edly have  given  pain  to  the  least  insect.  His 
benevolence  was  uniform,  extensive,  and  glow- 
ing. ''  His  friend  icas  man^  his  parti/  human 
kind''  The  academy  under  his  care,  for  a  long 
time  the  most  flourishing  in  the  country,  was  a 
school  of  religion,  and  purity  of  manners.  He 
was  a  strict  attendant  on  all  the  ordinances  of 
christianit}^  himself,  and  taught  his  pupils  to  re- 
verence the  word  and  worship  of  God.  He  loved 
them  as  his  children,  and  they  confided  in  him  as 
a  father.  His  name  will  long  be  dear  in  this  part 
of  the  country ;  but  to  none  more,  than  to  the 
people  of  By  field.  Chilchen  unborn  will  doubt- 
less be  wiser,  and  better,  and  happier,  for  the  useful 
instructions  their  fathers  received  from  Precep- 
tor Moody. 

In  the  month  of  ^larch  succeeding  Doctor 
Wheeiock's  removal,  the  General  Assembly  of 
Newhampshire,  impressed  with  the  importance 
of  such  a  sen;inarv  to  the  State,  and  riohtlv 
considering  the  undertaking  in  which  he  was  so 


62  MEMOIRS  OF 

ardently  engagerl,and  the  personal  isacrifices  he  was 
generously  making  for  the  accomplishment  of  his 
object,  made  him  a  grant  of  one  hundred  pounds. 
The  town  of  Portsmouth,  the  capital  of  the  pro- 
vince, being  informed  of  this  donation,  immedi- 
ately declared,  in  a  very  impressive  manner,  their 
cordial  approbation  of  the  measure,  gratefully  a- 
vowcd  their  "  cheerful  readiness"  to  contribute 
their  full  proportion  of  that  or  a  larger  sum,  had 
the  honorable  Assembly  thought  proper  to  grant 
it,  and  ordered  a  copy  of  their  vote  to  be  pre- 
sented to  Doctor  Wheelock. 

The  first  commencement  was  holden  in  Au- 
gust, 1 77 1 ,  when  four  young  gentlemen*'  received 
the  first  honors  of  the  University.  The  occasion 
was  honored  not  only  with  the  presence  of  the 
Governor  and  a  number  of  the  most  respectable 
gentlemen  from  Portsmouth,  but  with  many  per- 
sons of  distinction  from  other  places. 

From  1771,  to  )774,  there  were  in  the  School 
and  College  about  twelve  English  youths,  de- 
pendant on  the  funds  ;  and  six  Indian  lads  in 
the  school.  Bonds  were  required  of  the  English 
scholars,  who  were  upon  charity,  to  refund  the 
expence  of  their  education,  in  case  they  should 
decline  going  as  Missionaries  among  the  Indians, 
unless  providentially  prevented.  Within  the  a- 
bove  period,  Mtten  English  youths,  who  had 
finished  their  collegiate  education,  and  were  either 
licenced  preachers  or  ordained  ministers  of  the 
gospel,  were  ready  to  go  forth  as  missionaries, 
and  six  Indians  were  also  qualified  for  school- 
masters. By  means  of  the  disputes  between 
Great  Britain  and  the  colonies,  which  by  this 
time  assumed  a  threatening  appearance,  the 
jjrospect  of  success  was  greatly  diminished.  The 
Indian  tribes  had  not  only  obtained  information 

*  The  late  Rev.  Levi  Frishie;  Samuel  Gray,  Es^q.  ;  the  late  Professor 
I^jplrij  ■  and  the  Hon.  John  Wheelock,  L.  L.  D.  now  President. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  63 

of  our  political  affairs,  but  their  warriors  became 
restless,  and  in  some  parts  apparently  prejudiced 
ao^ainst  us.  ^Missionaries  were  however  sent  a- 
mong  them  to  preach  the  gospel.  Some  went 
into  the  Mohawk  and  Oneida  country,  others  to 
the  Indians  upon  the  ^luskingum,  and  several 
to  the  tribes  within  the  bounds  of  Canada. 
They  found  the  Indians,  the  Oneidas  excepted, 
universally  opposed  to  them.  The  threatening 
storm,  which  soon  after  burst  upon  the  colonies 
in  a  long  and  bloody  war,  was  preceded  by  de- 
predations committed  by  the  Indians,  with  sa- 
vage cruelty,  on  the  defenceless  frontiers,  and 
the  missionaries  were  driven  back  to  the  English 
settlements. 

For  more  than  ten  years  the  missionaries,  edu- 
cated by  Doctor  Wheelock  for  the  purpose, 
could  have  no  access  to  the  Indian  country, 
Oneida  excepted,  but  at  the  hazard  of  their  lives. 
As  the  chief  object  of  their  pursuit  seemed  thus 
interdicted  by  providence,  they  generally  settled 
in  the  ministry  in  various  parts  of  the  country, 
and  considered  themselves  exonerated  from  their 
bonds.  A  small  number,  however,  refunded  the 
expence  of  their  education. 

Of  all  the  tribes  on  the  frontiers  of  the  colo- 
nies, the  Oneidas  alone  preserved  neutrality. 
This  favorable  circumiStance  may,  under  divine 
providence,  be  attributed  to  the  christian  labors 
bestowed  on  them,  to  enlighten  them  with  a 
knowledge  of  the  gospel,  beyond  any  others,  es- 
pecially by  the  Rev.  ^Ir.  Kirkland.  To  his  in- 
fluence over  them,  may  be  chiefly  ascribed  the 
prevention  of  barbarous  murders  and  other  hor- 
rid outrages  of  which  they  would  probably  have 
been  guilty,  had  they  united  with  the  other 
tribes,  who  volunteered  their  services  to  our 
enemv. 


64  MEMOIRS  OF 

The  hostile  disposition  of  the  Indians  was  a 
source  of  disappointment  and  grief  to  Doctor 
Wheelock.  He  saw  his  kindest  purposes  towards 
them  frustrated,  and  the  benevolent  projects  he 
had  formed  with  fairest  hopes  of  success,  at  once 
completely  blasted.  What  gave  poignancy  to 
his  sorrow  was,  to  view  several  of  those  who  liad 
received  instruction  at  his  hand,  ranging  them- 
selves under  the  banner  of  desolation  and  mur- 
der. 

After  a  series  of  attempts,  continued  many 
years,  to  qualify  Indian  youths  to  become  preach- 
ers of  the  gospel,  the  Doctor  found  the  princi- 
pal services  they  rendered  to  their  savage  bre- 
thren were  in  the  capacity  of  school  masters  and 
interpreters.  There  were,  however,  some  excep- 
tions. Of  one  hundred  and  fifty  Indians,  who 
were  members  of  the  school,  several  were  repu- 
table and  useful  preachers  of  the  gospel  among 
their  countrymen.  They  were  proficients  in 
learning  and  hopeful  subjects  of  grace.  Ail  of 
them  died  in  early  life  except  Mr.  Occum. — 
Although,  for  various  reasons.  Doctor  Wheelock 
was  induced  to  turn  his  attention  to  the  educa- 
tion of  his  own  countrymen,  for  the  purpose  of 
their  becoming  missionary  preachers,  he  did  not 
relax  his  exertions  to  obtain  as  many  Indian 
boys  as  he  could,  that  he  might  give  them  such 
instruction,  as  might  render  them  good  and  use- 
ful. 

As  Doctor  Wheelock  advanced  tov/ards  old 
age,  he  appeared  desirous  to  hasten  his  work. 
He  wished  to  establish  a  permanent  fund  from 
the  lands  of  the  institution,  for  the  support  of  the 
school  and  missionaries.  Three  thousand  acres 
of  land  lay  contiguous  to  the  College.  With 
great  labor  and  expence  lie  had  enclosed  nearly 


dH.  wheelock.  65 

two  thousand  acres,  five  hundred  of  whicli  was 
pasturage  and  the  residue  grass  and  tillage.''^ 

In  a  narrative  published  in  1773,  he  says,  ^^the 
*'  number  of  my  laborers  for  six  months  past,  has 
"  generally  been  from  thirty  to  forty,  besides 
"  those  employed  at  the  mills,  kitchen,  and  do- 
"  mestic  servants.  The  number  of  my  students, 
*^  dependant  and  independent,  the  last  year  was 
"  about  eighty,  and  the  number  of  ray  family  to- 
"  gether  consequently  large;  and,  through  the 
*'  pure  mercy  of  God,  I  have  been  blessed  with 
*'  a  peaceable  family,  dihgent  and  orderly  stu- 
*^  dents,  and  faithful  laborers," 

On  the  removal  of  the  school  from  Connecti- 
cut, the  Board  of  Correspondents,  which  was 
commissioned  by  the  society  in  Scotland  for  pro- 
pagating christian  knowledge,  was  dissolved,  and 
soon  after  its  establishment  in  Hanover,  Doctor 
Wheelock  proposed  to  the  Trustees  of  Dart- 
mouth College,  that  tliey  should  act  with  him, 
in  the  responsibility,  care,  and  management  of 
Moors  School.  They  however  declined  the  pro- 
posal, conceiving  that  the  charter  gave  them  the 
right  of  jurisdiction  only  over  the  College.  They 
have  ever  since  been  considered  and  managed 
distinctly,  although  connected  or  incorporated 
by  the  charter.  Each  possesses  appropriate  funds 
for  its  different  objects,  and  is  independent  of 
the  other.  The  donations  of  lands  in  America 
were  some  to  the  College,  some  to  the  School,  * 
and  some  to  both. 

*  In  the  summer  of  1775,  notv.ithstanding  a  severe  drought,  he  har- 
vested from  this  tract  800  bushels  of  grain,  and  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  sowed  114  acres  of  English  grain,  about  100  acres  of  which  was 
on  lands  never  before  occupied. 

MEMORIAL    TO    CONGRESS    IN   1776. 

Some  idea  of  the  expenoe  of  managing  his  new  lands,  may  be  form- 
ed from  the  single  article  of  hay-seed  for  liie  above  farm,  which  cost 
180  dollars. 


66  MEMOIRS  OF 

Doctor  Wheelock  considered  the  School  a& 
under  a  sort  of  parental  government,  and  he  ac- 
cordingly so  directed  and  managed  its  concerns, 
until  his  death.  He  was  alone  responsible  to  the 
Trust  in  Great  Britain  and  to  the  pubhc,  for  the 
management  of  all  the  interest  and  concerns  of 
the  School  in  America.  In  all  important  mat- 
ters he  had  the  advice  and  direction  of  the  Trust 
in  England,  when  it  could  be  obtained;  and  al- 
so, when  requested,  the  best  counsel  of  the  Trus- 
tees of  the  College,  at  their  annual  and  occasion- 
al meetings. 


DR.  \VHEELOCK.  6? 


SECTION  VIII. 

THE  COLLEGE  AND  SCHOOL  SUFFER  BY  THE  REVOLUTIONARY 
WAR— T>0NAT10NS  OF  DOCTOR  PHHXIPS  AND  MR.  JOHNSON- 
MUNIFICENCE  OF  MR.  THORNTON,  LONDON— INDLINS  JOIN 
THE  BRITISH. 

THE  spring  of  1775  opened  with  a  frowning- 
aspect  on  the  School,  the  College,  and  the  coun- 
try. The  noise  of  battle  and  the  reports  of  war, 
absolved  the  attention  of  the  public  mind.  The 
contest  had  commenced,  Avhich  forever  separated 
the  colonies  from  "  the  mother  country."  All 
intercourse  with  Great  Britain  was  suspended. 
Though  the  fund  in  England  for  the  School  was 
exhausted,  Doctor  V/heelock  had  calculated  on 
the  continuance  of  aid  from  the  pious  and  cha- 
ritable in  England,  and  from  the  fund  in  Scot- 
land. Unprepared  for  this  reverse  of  circum- 
stances, it  was  a  calamitous  hour  to  Doctor 
Wheelock.  About  sixteen  Indian  youth  and 
the  same  number  of  English  were  under  his  care, 
preparing  for  missions.  All  resources  for  their 
support  were  suddenly  cut  off;  the  country  was 
electrefied  with  a  military  ardor  ;  the  young  men 
were  hurrying  to  the  armies  ;  agriculture  was  in 
a  considerable  degree  neglected  ;  laborers  could 
not  be  hired  for  any _ reasonable  stipend,  and 
though  great  sums  had  been  expended  in  the  cul- 
tivation of  the  school  lands,  their  produce  would 
not  compensate  for  the  necessary  labor. 

The  object  of  Doctor  Wheelock,  from  the  time 
of  his  removal  into  New  Hampshire  was,  by 
means  of  the  fund  in  England,  to  establish  a 
pernianent  fund  in  America  for  the  support  of 
iiis  Indian  School.  Eor  this  purpose  he  went 
largely  into  the  business  of  clearing  lands.  From 
the  annual  rent  of  these  farms,  he  expected  to 
-support   a  number  of  missionaries  and  school- 


68  MEMOIRS  OF 

masters  in  the  wilderness,  and  Indian  boys  in 
the  School.  The  war  in  a  great  measure  de- 
ranged these  enlarged  and  benevolent  plans.  The 
din  of  war  drowned  the  feeble  voice  of  science  ; 
men  turned  away  from  this  school  of  the  pro- 
phets, to  hear  tidings  from  the  camp ;  the  phy- 
sical strength  of  the  country  was  exhausted  in 
the  support  of  armies,  this  vine  in  the  wilderness 
was  forgotten.  Among  other  distresses.  Doctor 
Wheelock  was  responsible  for  the  payment  of 
several  debts,  which  had  been  necessarily  con- 
tracted on  the  credit  of  the  School's  fund.  Iii 
this  embarrassment,  however,  some  liberal  and 
pious  friends  in  this  country,  generously  afford- 
ed assistance.  The  Hon.  John  Phillips,  L.  L.  D. 
afterwards  the  noble  founder  of  Phillips'  Exeter 
Academy,  gave  three  thousand  three  hundred  and 
thirty  three  dollars,  reserving  to  himself  the  mode 
of  expending  it  for  the  benefit  of  the  School. 
He  was  also  a  liberal  friend  to  the  infant  Col- 
lege, making  at  different  times  various  valuable 
donations.  He  is  still  held  in  grateful  remem- 
brance, and  his  name  will  go  down  to  posterity 
as  a  principal  benefactor  of  Dartmouth  College. 
The  Rev.  Diodate  Johnson,  of  Millington,  in 
Connecticut,  also  left  to  the  College  a  legacy  of 
five  hundred  dollars,  and  his  valuable  library. 
This  year,  also,  1775,  the  Continental  Congress 
made  a  grant  of  five  hundred  dollars  to  this  in- 
fant seminary  of  New  Hampshire. 

Though  the  wicked  mean  not  so,  neither  is  it 
in  their  heart,  yet  they  often  render  useful  ser- 
vices to  the  friends  of  Christ.  Though  they 
know  him  not,  yet  like  Cyrus  they  are  the  ser- 
vants of  God.  While  Dr.  Wheelock,  no  longer 
enjoying  the  means  of  supporting  his  Indian 
boys,  was  in  trembling  fear  of  apparent  indeli- 
cacy, and  of  giving  offence,  by  sending  thern 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  6^ 

home,  the  Popish  priests  in  Canada,  relieved  him 
from  this  perplexing  embarrassment.  Such  was 
their  jealousy  and  opposition,  that  they  persua- 
ded the  parents  to  send  for  their  children  at  the 
school,  alledging  that  while  they  were  among 
protestants,  they  were  in  danger  of  eternal  per- 
dition, and  threatening  that  they  would  cease  to 
pray  for  them,  if  they  suffered  them  to  continue 
there  any  longer.  At  that  gloomy  time  this  e- 
vent  was  a  great  relief  to  the  Doctor,  for  most 
of  his  Indian  scholars  were  from  Canada.  This 
is  one  from  many  instances,  of  the  vast  influence 
the  Papal  priests  have  over  the  minds  of  the 
American  savages.  They  seem  to  have  tho- 
roughly studied  their  character,  and  found  the 
secret  of  managing  their  most  violent  passions. 
"  The  French  Jesuits  would  do  more  w^ith  the  In- 
dians in  the  war,  which  closed  in  1763,  than  the 
Governors  of  all  Canada  beside.'"^  Is  not  this  a 
lesson  for  protestant  missionaries  ?  Shall  we  not 
be  as  zealous  as  they,  in  teaching  doctrines  more 
pure,  and  duties  more  reasonable?  The  war  de- 
prived Doctor  Wheelock  of  one  great  source  of 
conifort,  his  epistolary  correspondence  with  ma- 
iiy  pious  and  generous  friends  in  Great  Britain; 
it  deprived  him  of  their  charitable  pecuniary  as- 
sistance, which  had  often  aided  and  animated 
him  in  his  great:  designs.  Among  these,  that 
friend  of  humanity,  and  most  examplary  chris- 
tian, John  Thornton,  Esq.  of  Clapham,  near  Lon- 
don, had  greatly  distinguished  himself  God 
blessed  him  with  w^ealth  and  with  an  enlarged 
heart,  as  a  good  steward  to  use  it  for  the 
honor  of  the  Almighty  Donor,  and  the  benefit 
of  mankind.  With  the  name  of  the  philanthro- 
pic How^ard,  that  of  Thornton  will  be  united, 
as  the  friend  of  humanity  and  the  ornament  of  the 

*  Letter  from  a  missionarv. 


70  MEMOIRS  OF 

age  in  which  he  lived.  The  success  of  Doctor 
Wheelock,  in  his  benevolent  plans,  was  greatly 
owing  to  the  assistance  of  this  worthy  man. 
Though  separated  by  the  ocean,  their  souls  were 
one,  animated  with  the  same  hope,  and  fired  to 
action  by  tlie  same  love  of  God  and  man.  So 
unbounded  was  the  confidence  of  Mr.  Thornton 
in  Doctor  Wheelock's  wisdom  and  fidelity,  that 
he  directed  him  to  draw  on  him  for  any  sums  he 
might  need  in  carrying  on  his  benevolent  designs 
for  the  poor  heathen.  His  confidence  was  ne- 
ver abused.  He  also  settled  an  annual  pension 
of  an  hundred  dollars  on  Mr  Occum,  w^hich  was 
much  his  dependance  through  life.  The  excel- 
lent spirit  of  this  good  and  great  man,  breathes 
in  his  letters,  a  number  of  which  are  inserted  in 
the  annexed  correspondence  of  Doctor  Wheelock. 
In  this  selfish  world  such  a  character  is  contem- 
plated with  unspeakable  satisfaction.  A  cele- 
brated poet,  whose  powers  of  genius  and  brillian- 
cy of  fancy,  were  consecrated  to  the  cause  of 
God  and  religion,  pays  the  following  merited 
tribute  of  respect  to  this  worthy  man, 

"  Some  men  make  gain  a  fountain,  whence  proceeds 
A  stream  of  lib'ral  and  heroic  deeds; 
The  swell  of  pity  not  to  be  confin'd. 
Within  tlie  scanty  limits  of  the  mind; 
Disdains  the  bank,  and  tiirows  the  golden  sands, 
A  rich  deposit  on  the  bordering  lands ; 
These  have  an  ear  for  Ins  paternal  call, 
Who  makes  bonie  rich  tor  the  supply  of  all ; 
God's  gifts  with  pleasure  in  his  praise  employ, 
And  Thornton  is  lamiliar  with  the  joy.'' 

COWPER. 

It  is  said  of  Solomon,  that  The  Lord  gave  him 
largeness  of  hearty  even  as  the  sand  on  the  sea  shore : 
such  a  peculiar  disposition  for  whatever  was  good 
or  benevolent,  was  also  bestowed  on  Mr.  Thorn- 
tou.  He  difiered  as  much  from  rich  men  of  or- 
dinary bounty,  as  they  do  from  others,  that  are 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  7V 

parsimonious.  Nor  was  this  bounty  the  result 
of  occasional  impulse,  like  a  summer  shower,  vi- 
olent and  short ;  on  the  contrary,  it  proceeded 
like  a  river,  pouring  its  waters  through  various 
countries,  copious  and  inexhaustible.  Nor  could 
those  obstructions  of  imposture  and  ingratitifde, 
which  have  often  been  advanced,  as  the  cause  of 
damming  up  other  streams,  prevent  or  retard  the 
course  of  this.  The  generosity  of  Mr.  Thornton, 
indeed,  frequently  met  with  such  hinderances, 
and  led  him  to  increasing  discrimination,  but 
the  stream  of  his  bounty  never  ceased  to  hold  its 
course.  Deep,  silent,  and  overwhelming,  it  still 
rolled  on,  nor  even  ended  with  his  life. 

But  the  fountain  from  whence  his  benevolence 
flowed,  and  by  which  its  permanency  and  direc- 
tion were  maintained,  must  not  be  concealed. 
Mr.  Thornton  was  a  christian.  Let  no  one  how- 
ever, so  mistake  me  here  as  to  suppose  that  I 
mean  nothing  more  by  the  term  christian,  than 
the  state  of  one  who,  convinced  of  the  truth  of 
revelation,  gives  assent  to  its  doctrines  ;  re- 
gularly attends  its  ordinances,  and  maintains  an 


external,  moral,  and  religious  deportment.  Sue 
an  one  may  have  a  7iame  to  Ike  xvhile  he  is  dead; 
he  may  have  a  form  of  godliness  without  the  pozv- 
er  of  it  ;  may  even  be  found  denying  and  ridi- 
culing that  power,  till  at  length,  he  can  only  be 
convinced  of  his  error  by  an  intallible  tribunal, 
where  a  widow  that  gives  only  her  mite,  or  a 
publican,  that  smites  on  his  breast  shall  be  pre- 
ferred before  him. 

Mr.  Thornton  was  a  Christian  indeed,  that  is, 
he  was  alive  to  God  by  a  spiritual  regeneration. 
With  this  God  he  was  daily  and  earnestly  trans- 
acting that  infinite  affair,  the  salvation  of  his 
own  soul  ;  and  next  to  that  the  salvation  of  the 
souls  of  others.   Temperate  in  all  things,  though 


72  MEMOIRS  OF 

mean  in  nothing,  he  made  provision  for  doiti^ 
good  with  his  oppuience,  and  seemed  to  be  most 
in  his  element  when  appropriating  a  considerable 
part  of  his  large  income  to  the  necessities  of 
others.  But  Mr.  Thornton  possessed  that  dis- 
crimination in  his  attempts  to  serve  his  fellow 
creatures,  which  distinguishes  an  enlightened 
mind.  He  habitually  contemplated  man,  as  one, 
who  has  not  only  a  body,  subject  to  want,  af- 
fliction, and  death,  but  also  a  spirit,  which  is  im- 
mortal, and  must  be  happy  or  miserable  forever. 
He  therefore  felt  that  the  noblest  exertions  of 
charity  are  those,  which  are  directed  to  the  re- 
lief of  the  noblest  part  of  our  species.  Accord- 
ingly, he  left  no  mode  of  exertion  untried  to  re- 
lieve man  under  his  natural  ignorance  and  de- 
pravity. To  this  end  he  purchased  advowsons 
and  presentations,  with  a  view  to  place  in  pa- 
rishes the  most  enlightened,  active,  and  useful 
ministers.  He  employed  the  extensive  com- 
merce in  which  he  was  engaged,  as  a  powerful 
instrument  for  conveying  immense  quantities  df 
bibles,  prayer-books,  and  the  most  useful  publi- 
cations, to  every  place  visited  by  our  trade.  He 
printed,  and  at  his  sole  expence,  large  editions 
of  the  latter  for  this  purpose  ;  and  it  may  safely 
be  affirmed,  that  there  is  scarcely  a  part  of  the 
known  wo  rid,  where  such  books  could  be  intro- 
duced, which  did  not  feel  the  salutary  influence 
of  this  single  individual.  Nor  was  Mr.  Thorn- 
ton limited  in  his  views  of  promoting  the  inter- 
ests of  real  religion,  with  what  sect  soever  it  was 
connected.  He  stood  ready  to  assist  a  beneficial 
design  in  every  party,  but  would  be  the  creature 
of  none.  General  good  was  his  object  and  when- 
ever, or  however,  it  made  its  way,  his  maxim 
seemed  constantly  to  be  "oakat  quantum  valerc 
potest. 


PR.  WHEPXOCk.  ^3 

But  the  nature  and  extent  of  his  liberality  will 
be  greatly  misconceived,  if  any  one  should  sup- 
pose it  confined  to  moral  and  religious  respects, 
though  the  grandest  and  most  comprehensive 
exertions  of  it.  Mr.  Thornton  was  a  philanthro- 
pist on  the  largest  scale  ;  the  friend  of  man  un- 
der all  his  wants.  His  manner  of  relieving  his 
fellow  men  was  princely;  instances  might  be 
mentioned  of  it  were  it  proper  to  particularize, 
Avhich  would  surprise  those,  who  did  not  know 
Mr.  Thornton.  They  were  so  much  out  of  ordi- 
nary course  and  expectation,  that  I  know  some, 
who  felt  it  their  duty  to  enquire  of  him,  whether 
the  sum,  they  had  received  was  sent  by  his  inten- 
tion or  by  mistake  ?  To  this  may  be  added,  that 
the  manner  of  presenting  his  gifts  was  as  deli- 
cate and  concealed,  as  the  measure  was  large. 

Beside  this  constant  course  of  private  dona- 
tions, there  was  scarcely  a  public  charity,  or  oc- 
casion of  relief  to  the  ignorant  or  necessitou-s, 
which  did  not  meet  with  his  distinguished  sup- 
port. His  only  question  was,  "  May  the  mise- 
ries of  man  in  any  measure  be  removed,  or  alle- 
viated ?"  Nor  was  he  merely  distinguished  by 
stretching  out  a  liberal  hand  ;  his  benevolent 
heart  was  so  intent  on  doing  good,  that  he  was 
ever  inventing  and  promoting  plans  for  its  dif- 
fusion at  home  or  abroad. 

He  that  acts  wisely  to  promote  any  end,  will  as 
wisely  regard  the  means ;  in  this  Mr.  Thornton 
was  perfectly  consistent.  In  order  to  execute 
his  beneficent  designs,  he  observed  frugality  and 
exactness  in  his  personal  expences.  By  such 
prospective  methods,  he  was  able  to  extend  the 
influence  of  his  fortune  far  be3^ond  those  who, 
ia  sdil  more  elevated  stations^  are  ;blave$  to  ex- 

10 


74  MEMOIRS  OF 

petisive  habits.  Such  men  meanly  pace  in  tram- 
mels of  the  tyrant  custom,  till  it  leaves  them 
scarcely  enough  to  preserve  their  conscience,  or 
even  their  credit,  much  less  to  employ  their  tal- 
ents in  Mr.  Thornton's  noble  pursuits;  he  how- 
ever could  afford  to  be  generous;  and  while  he 
was  generous,  he  did  not  forget  his  duty  in  be- 
ing just.  He  made  ample  provision  for  his  chil- 
dren, and  though,  while  they  are  living,  it  would 
be  indelicate  to  say  more,  I  am  sure  of  speaking 
the  truth,  when  I  say,  that  they  are  so  far  from 
thinking  themselves  impoverished  by  the  bounty 
of  their  father,  that  they  contemplate  with  the 
highest  satisfaction  the  fruit  of  those  benefits  to 
society,  Avhich  he  planted  :  which  it  may  be 
trusted  will  extend  with  time  itself,  and  which 
after  his  example,  they  still  labor  to  extend. 

But  with  all  the  piety  and  liberality  of  this 
honored  character,  no  man  had  deeper  views  of 
his  own  unworthiness  before  his  God;  to  the 
Eedcemer's  work  alone  he  looked  for  acceptance 
of  his  person  and  services ;  he  felt  that  all  he  did, 
or  could  do,  was  infinitely  short  of  that  which 
had  been  done  for  him,  and  of  the  obligations 
that  were  thereby  laid  upon  him.  It  was  this 
abased ness  of  heart  toward  God,  combined  with 
the  most  singular  largeness  of  heart  toward  his 
fellow  creatures,  wliich  distinguished  John 
Thornton  among  men. 

Mr.  Thornton  was  a  lover  of  all  good  men. 
An  intimate  friendship  subsisted  between  him 
and  the  Rev.  I^Jr.  Newton,  of  Olney.  They 
combined  tlieir  distinct  talents,  in  promoting  the 
same  benevolent  cause.  Mr.  Thornton  left  a 
sum  of  money  with  Mr.  New^ton,  to  be  appro- 
priated to  the  defraying  his  necessary  expences, 
and  relieving  the  poor.     "  Be  hospitable,"  said 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  75 

Mr.  Thornton,  ^^  and  keep  an  open  house  for 
such  as  are  worthy  of  entertainment  ;  help 
the  poor  and  needy  ;  I  will  statedly  allow  you 
two  hundred  pounds  a  year,  and  readily  send 
whatever  you  have  occasion  to  draw  for  more." 
IMr.  Newton  supposed  that  he  had  received  of 
Mr.  Thornton  upwards  of  three  thousand  pounds 
sterling  in  this  way,  during  the  time  he  resided 
at  Olney. 

The  frontier  situation  of  the  College  exposed 
it  to  the  terrors  of  war,  and  especially  to  the  In- 
dians, an  enemy  most  to  be  dreaded.  These  in 
great  numbers  had  joined  the  British  armies  in 
Canada.  In  1776,  a  fleet  and  army  under  Gen. 
Carlton,  passed  up  lakeChamplain,  within  about 
60  miles  of  the  College,  and  destroyed  our  mari- 
time force  commanded  by  Arnold.  In  1777,  a 
luore  formidable  force,  under  Gen.  Burgoyne, 
passed  the  same  rout  for  conquest  and  plunder; 
a  general  panic  seized  the  public  mind,  and  the 
country  was  under  alarming  apprehensions  of  be- 
ing overpowered.  The  barbarous  deeds  of  the 
savages  were  remembered,  and  their  name  was 
terrible.  These  distressing  apprehensions  were 
2]ot  lessened  by  the  circumstance  that  some  of 
them  had  been  members  of  Doctor  Wheelock's 
school,  and  received  every  attention  of  parent- 
al kindness.  It  had  been  found  in  a  few  instances 
that  an  English  education  had  not  eradicated 
the  ferocity  of  the  savage,  but  qualified  him  to  be 
more  extensively  mischievous.  The  College  suf- 
fered greatly  during  the  unhappy  war ;  its  use- 
fulness was  abridged  ;  its  light  obscured  ;  its  re- 
sources almost  annihilated;  yet  the  pious  founder 
was  not  dismayed  or  discouraged.  With  unshak- 
en confidence  he  trusted  in  God,  that  he  would 
succeed  the  work,  which  he  had  so  wonder- 


0 
76  MEMOIRS  OF 

fully  prospered,  that  he  would  make  it  a  great 
and  extensive  blessing  to  the  heathen ;  to  the  nu- 
merous  settlements  forming  around  him,  and  to 
future  generations.  Events  have  proved  that 
his  hopes  were  well  founded. 


li 


DR.  WHEELOCK,  77 

SECTION  IX. 

THE  ADVANTAGEOUS  LOCAL  SITUATION  OF  DARTMOLtTH  COL- 
LEGE— DR.  WHEELOCK's  SICKNESS,  AND  HIS  DEATH. 

THE  local  situation  of  the  College  displayed 
the  foresight  of  the  venerable  founder.  While 
other  Colleges  were  near  the  sea  coast,  this  is  in- 
land, surrounded  by  a  fertile  country,  increasing 
in  resources  and  population ;  between  the  old 
settlements  of  New  England  and  the  province 
of  Canada ;  near  the  bank  of  the  noble  river 
Connecticut,  which  for  a  great  distance  waters 
the  most  fertile,  populous,  and  pleasant  country 
in  the  continent.  The  building,  which  had  been 
hastily  put  together,  for  the  accommodation  of 
the  students,  eighty  feet  long,  thirty  two  wide, 
and  two  stories  high,  was  in  a  few  years  so  de- 
cayed as  to  be  scarcely  tenantable.  The  ex- 
pence  of  the  repairs,  and  the  increasing  number 
of  students,  rendered  a  larger  building  necessa- 
ry. Doctor  Wheelock  was  desirous  that  before 
his  death  a  more  commodious  edifice  might  be 
erected.  For  this  purpose  assistance  was  solicit- 
ed. The  Legislature  of  New  Hampshire  gave 
sixteen  hundred  sixty-six  dollars,  and  the  grant 
of  a  lottery;  thirteen  or  fourteen  thousand  dollars 
were  generously  subscribed  by  the  friends  of  the 
university;  but  the  confusion  of  the  times  stopped 
the  progress  of  the  building.  Like  the  father  of 
Solomon,  Dr.  Wheelock  made  preparations  and 
began  the  work,  but  left  the  labor,  and  further 
expence  of  building  to  his  son  and  successor. 

Doctor  Wheelock  did  not  live  to  see  the  beams 
of  peace  dawn  upon  his  beloved  country.  The 
hardships  of  the  wilderness,  his  deep  solicitude 
to  promote  the  conversion  of  the  Indians ;  his 
grievous  disappointments  in  several  of  those  pu- 
pils ;  the  crowd  of  business  which  incessantly 
poured  in  upon  him,  and  demanded  his  constant 


75  MEMOIRS  OP 

attention  ;  the  distressing  embarrassments  of  the 
war,  and  the  gloomy  prospects  of  the  country 
and  church,  all  combined  to  weaken  his  strength 
and  shorten  his  life.  His  constitution  had  al- 
ways been  slender.  For  four  years  previous  to 
his  death,  his  health  had  visibly  dechned ;  in 
this  time  he  very  much  remitted  his  attention  to 
his  correspondents  in  Europe  and  America ;  but 
in  no  degree  relaxed  his  labors  for  the  School 
and  College.  For  several  years  he  was  afflicted 
with  the  asthma  ;  yet  his  labors,  as  a  minister  of 
the  gospel,  were  almost  incessant.  Regularly 
and  zealously  he  continued  his  useful  and  im- 
pressive ministrations.  When  unable  to  walk 
he  was  repeatedly  carried  in  his  easy  chair  to  the 
chapel.  When  he  was  no  longer  able  to  be  car- 
ried to  the  chapel,  his  flock,  by  his  permission, 
very  gladly  assembled  in  his  house  ;  where,  seat- 
ed in  his  chair,  too  feeble  to  support  himself,  yet 
with  a  soul  too  heavenly  to  be  silent,  he  perform- 
ed the  various  exercises  of  public  worship.  Ac- 
cording to  his  frequent  prayer,  that  he  might  not 
outlive  his  useful ness,di vine  instruction  ceased  not 
to  flow  from  his  lips,  till  they  were  sealed  in  death. 

Jan.  6,  1779,  he  was  seized  with  violent  epi- 
leptic fits,  which  brought  him  very  low.  From 
these  he,  however,  so  far  recovered,  as  to  ride  se- 
veral times  on  horseback  ;  but  in  the  beginning 
of  April  he  appeared  rapidly  to  decline,  and  so 
continued  to  the  214th  of  that  month,  which  was 
his  last  and  happiest  day.  In  the  morning  he 
walked  the  room  with  assistance,  and  with  much 
composure  conversed  on  various  important  sub- 
jects, particularly  relating  to   the  eternal  world. 

He  repeatedly  declared  his  firm  belief  that  his 
son,  whom  he  ha;l  appointed  his  successor,  would 
exert  himself  to  promote  the  great  object,  which 
he  had  himself  so  long  pursued,  and  that  God 
would  be  with  him  and  bless  him, 


DR.  WHKFXOCK.  79 

Shortly  before  his  death,  being  sensible  that 
his  end  Was  nigh,  he  manifested  great  anxiety 
for  the  speedy  execution  of  a  legal  instrument  of 
importance  to  be  completed  by  him,  and  dis- 
patched a  messenger  for  the  necessary  magistrate. 
About  the  same  time  he  requested  that  all  his  fa- 
mily might  attend  him  ;  accordingly  those  who 
were  in  the  vicinity  convened  agreeably  to  his 
wishes.  From  a  visible  alteration  in  his  counte- 
nance, all  present  were  in  mournful  expectation 
that  their  father  and  head  was  about  to  be  taken 
from  them.  His  lady  askec^him  what  were  his 
views  of  death.  He  replied,  "  I  do  not  fear 
death  with  any  amazement."  Soon  after  he  re- 
peated the  fourth  verse  of  23d  Psalm  ;  "  Though 
I  walk  through  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of 
death,  I  will  fear  no  evil ;  for  thou  art  with  me  ; 
thy  rod  and  th}'  staff  they  comfort  me."  He 
then  added,  "  I  have  a  desire  to  depart  and  to 
be  with  Christ."  After  leaving  an  affectionate 
remembrance  for  particular  friends  who  were  ab- 
sent, he  requested  a  clergyman,  who  was  present, 
to  join  with  him  in  prayer,  to  the  fountain  of 
goodness.  He  then  addressed  those  present  iu 
the  following  words,  "  Oh  my  family  be  faith- 
ful unto  death  ;"  and  immediately  expired  with- 
out a  struggle  or  a  groan.  The  peace  and  joy  of 
his  mind,  in  the  moment  of  death,  impressed  a 
pleasing  smile  on  his  countenance,  which  con- 
tinued after  the  immortal  spirit  had  fled.  Blest 
image  of  the  saint  sleeping  in  Jesus.  He  had 
completed  sixty  eiglit  years  of  his  age.  Nine 
from  the  founding  of  the  College,  and  twenty 
five  from  the  time  of  his  extending  the  aid 
of  his  Charity  School  to  the  benighted  Indians. 
His  death  was  on  Saturday,  and  the  Monday  fol-  ' 
lowing  his  funeral  was  attended  by  a  large  and 
respectable  concourse  of  people,  V\4io  united  their 


60  MEMOIUS  o? 

tears  of  sympathy  with  the  bereaved  family  and 
university.  A  sermon,  adapted  to  the  mournful 
occasion,  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Bur- 
roughs, of  Hanover,  from  Job  xiv.  14.  ''  If  a  man 
die  shall  he  live  again  ?  All  the  days  of  my  ap- 
pointed time  will  I  wait  till  my  change  come.'* 
Thus  departed  this  transitory  life  that  good  and 
great  man,  whose  praise  is  in  all  the  churches  ; 
whom  God  was  pleased  to  honor,  in  opening 
those  springs  of  science  and  religion  in  the  wil- 
derness, which  make  glad  the  city  of  God; 
whose  works  of  charity  follow  him  into  the  ce- 
lestial world,  where  he  shines  among  those  who 
have  turned  many  to  righteousness,  and  as  the 
stars  forever  and  ever. 

The  following  expressive  Epitaph,  written  by 
Doctor  John  Wheelock,  is  inscribed  upon  his 
sepulchral  monument. 

Hie  quiescit  corpus 

ELEAZARI  WHEELCCK,  S.T.D. 

Academise  Morensis,  et  Collegii  Dai  tmuthensis, 

Fundatoris  et  primi  prsesidis.  i 

Evangelio  barbaros  indoiiuit  ;  ^ 

Et  excultis  nova  scientiae  patefecit. 

Viator, 

I,  et  imitare. 

Si  poteris, 

Tanta  meritorum  piemia  laturus. 

MDccx  natus  ;  mdcclxxix  obiit. 


Here  rests  the  body 
of  ^ 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK,  S.  T.  D. 

Founder  and  first  President 

of 

Dartmouth  College  and  Moor's  Charity  School. 

By  the  gospel  he  subdued  the  ferocity  of  the  savage ; 

And  to  the  civilized  he  opened  new  paths  of  science. 

Traveller, 

Co,  if  you  can,  and  deserve 

Tl'.e  sublime  reward  of  such  merit. 

He  was  born  in  the  year  1710;  and  died  in   1779. 

Pietate  filii  Johonnis  Wheelock. 

Hoc  monuuientum  posituni  inscriptumque  fecit. 

^nao  MDcccx. 


DR.  WHiELOCK,  81 

In  the  Rev.  Doctor  Poniroy  of  Hebron,  Con- 
necticut, Dr.  Wheelock  found  an  able  helper 
and  wise  counsellor.  He  was  animated  with  the 
same  ardor,  and  bestowed  much  of  his  time  and 
labor  to  build  up  the  School,  to  promote  die 
cause  of  Jesus  Christ  among  the  heathen.  No 
men  could  be  happier  in  each  other.  Like  Da- 
vid and  Jonathan  they  loved  ;  their  hearts  were 
knit  together.  They  Avere  both  subjects  of  ear- 
ly piet:y,  and  members  of  the  same  class  at  Col- 
lege ;  both  wtre  determined  to  devote  them- 
selves to  the  gospel  ministry  ;  they  entered  on 
the  work  together ;  they  settled  in  contiguous 
parishes ;  were  brothers  by  marriage,  and  conge- 
nial souls  ;  it  is  not  strange,  therefore,  that  their 
hearts  glowed  with  friendship,  and  that  they 
"were  always  united  to  promote  the  w'ork  of  God 
and  the  good  of  mankind.  Alany  were  their 
pleasant  days  of  mutual  visits,  for  consultation 
on  the  advancement  of  the  Redeem.er's  kingdom 
among  the  heathen,  and  often  were  their  liearts 
united  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Till  old  age  and 
death  their  friendship  was  not  dissolved,  nor  inter- 
rupted. Though  he  was  aged  and  iniirm  and  al- 
most blind,  yet  on  hearing  the  news  of  Doctor 
M'heelock's  death,  the  beloved  Pomroy  travelled  a 
long  journey  of  a  hundred  and  seventy  miles,  then 
a  course  of  rough  roads  and  miry  forests,  to  make 
a  sympathizing  visit  to  the  mourning  family  and 
university.  In  the  College  chapel  he  preached 
a  sermon,  adapted  to  the  melancholy  occasion, 
from  Psalm  xlv,  15'.  From  the  manuscript  the 
following  is  an  extract,  which  shows  how  much 
he  loved  him. 

'^  All  thoughts,  schemes,  plans,  devices,  liow 
wisely  soever  concerted  tor  this  life,  at  dealh  are 
at  an   end.      Solomon   exhorts,    "  Whatsoever 


11 


82  MEMOIRS  OF 

thine  hand  findeth,  to  do  (for  time  meaning)  do 
it  with  thy  might/'  The  motive  or  argument 
to  enforce  the  exhortation  is,  "  for  there  is  no 
work,  nor  device,  nor  knowledge,  nor  wisdom, 
in  the  grave  whither  thou  goest ;"  intimating, 
that  good  men,  while  life  lasts,  are  employed  in 
works,  and  devices  of  knowledge  and  wisdom; 
plans  wisely  laid,  and  vigorously  prosecuted, 
for  the  advancement  of  the  divine  glory,  and 
the  good  of  mankind  ;  and  oh  !  how  did  out-  dear 
deceased  friend,  while  he  lived,  abound  in  all 
these.  Did  we  ever  know  such  wisdom,  policy, 
and  holy  skill,  joined  with  such  faith,  courage;, 
and  resolution,  to  effect  the  most  important  and 
benevolent  purposes  of  this  kind,  as  were  con- 
spicuous in  him?  But  oh!  how  sad  is  the  thought, 
they  are  all  ceased,  all  at  an  end  ;  ceased,  ceased 
forever.  No  more,  O  Dartmouth  !  shall  he  rack 
his  aching  brain,  overbear  his  feeble,  and  almost 
wornout  constitution  for  thy  emolument^ — no 
more  fatiguing  labors,  sleepless  nights,  mighty 
wrestlings  in  prayer  for  immortal  souls,  not  only 
of  his  acquaintance  and  near  akin,  but  strangers 
and  savages  through  the  land.  He  has  rested, 
O  blessed  rest !  from  all  these  works ;  and  what 
a  glorious  reward  does  follow  them. 

But  is  it  cruel  in  me,  my  friends,  to  dwell  on 
this  mournful  theme,  and  renew  the  grief  of  these 
deep  mourners,  and  cause  their  wounds  to  bleed 
afresh,  four  months  after  the  dear  object  of  their 
sorrows  is  buried  out  of  sight  ?  We  say,  out  of 
sight,  out  of  mind.  The  Psalmist  says,  forgot- 
ten as  a  dead  man — forgotten  by  the  world. 
And  Job  says,  the  womb  shall  forget  him,  while 
the  worm  feeds  sweetly  upon  him.  The  tender 
mother  may,  and  unnaturally  enough,  forget  the 
son  of  her  womb,  when  dead,  and  become  meat 
for  worms.  -  All  this  may  be  true  of  vulgar  dead; 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  S3 

but  oh  !  can  Whcelock  be  forgotten?  is  it  possi- 
ble ?  shall  not  our  sorrows  bleed  afresh  at  every 
remembrance  of  his  name  ?  And  oh  !  how  are 
we  surrounded  with  monitors  and  memorandums 
of  his  name  and  virtues.  No,  while  the  plains 
of  Hanover,  late  the  rough,  and  almost  unpassa- 
ble  retreat  of  savage  beasts  of  prey,  thick  set 
with  lofty  pines,  which  overtop  the  clouds,  ow- 
ing chiefly,  under  God,  to  his  arduous  labor,  aild 
divine  skill,  lie  smooth  beneath  our  feet,  and, 
drest  with  beauteous  green,  salute  our  eyes  with 
a  most  beautiful  prospect,  while  Dartmouth,  or 
any  of  her  sons  remain  alive ;  while  Hanover  or 
any  one  stone  upon  another  remains  of  her  build- 
ings, not  thrown  down ;  while  any  vestage  of 
Hanover,  Dartmouth,  or  her  extensive  influence 
remains,  so  long  shall  the  name  and  fame  of  our 
dear  departed  friend  be  remembered.  I  might 
then  protract  my  mournful  strahv  without  ftar 
of  offending — grief  looses  its  nature,  turns  to  joy, 
when  vented  on  a  proper  occasion.  Proportion 
of  things  is  beautiful  to  the  rational  mind — weep- 
ing pleasant,  when  there  is  great  occasion  for  it; 
the  effect  proportionate  to  the  cause.  Look  a- 
way  from  me,  I  will  weep  bitterly — labor  not  to 
comfort  me,  saith  the  prophet.  My  resolution 
is  like  his — 'tis  profitable  too  as  well  as  pleasant. 
Such  wounds,  says  Dr.  Young,  oftner  heal  too 
soon,  than  bleed  too  long." 

Doctor  Wheelock's  fidelity  in  the  management 
of  money,  was  never  called  in  question  by  any 
acquainted  with  the  business  of  the  school.  He 
was  always  careful  to  apply  all  monies  for  the 
particular  purpose  for  which  they  were  given. 
He  considered  every  donation  as  a  sacred  depos- 
it, and  frequently  called  it  the  LorcTs  money ^  or 
Christ's  money.  The  failure  of  that  full  success 
of  his  plans  to  evangelize  the  heathen,   which 


84  MEMOIRS  OF 

was  from  the  first  his  most  earnest  desire,  cannot 
be  attributed  to  any  want  of  fidelity  or  foresight 
in  him.  During  the  long  and  distressing  revo- 
lutionary war,  all  attempts  to  carry  his  benevo- 
lent designs  into  execution,  were  necessarily  re- 
linquished. Though  unforeseen  events,  in  a  great 
measure,  disappointed  the  reasonable  hopes,  that 
the  school  would  speedily  prove  an  extensive 
benefit  to  the  Indians ;  yet,  by  the  overruling 
providence  of  God,  it  has  already  been  made  of 
considerable  advantage  to  them,  a  great  and  rich 
blessing:  to  others.  From  the  time  in  which  the 
school  began  to  possess  considerable  property, 
during  the  life  of  the  founder,^  he  requested  two 
or  three  respectable  gentlemen,  who  were  com- 
monly appointed  by  the  civil  government  to  au- 
dit and  examine  every  six  months  his  accounts 
of  receipts  and  expenditures  in  behalf  of  the 
School.  They  invariably  found  his  accounts 
regularly  stated,  and  accredited  by  proper  vouch- 
ers. 

Doctor  Wheelock  performed  the  duties  of 
President  of  the  College  and  School,  Professor 
of  Divinity,  and  Pastor  of  the  church  in  the  Col- 
lege. For  all  these  abundant  labors  and  cares 
he  received  no  salary.  His  only  compensation 
from  his  removal  to  Hanover  till  his  decease,  was 
a  supply  of  provisions  for  his  family.  His  erect- 
ino-  this  School,  and  thus  conducting  it  amidst 
vari(3us  and  great  discouragements,  are  evidences 
of  the  benevolence,  perseverance,  and  great  abili- 
ties of  its  founder.  He  displayed  a  spirit  like 
that  of  the  pious  and  renowned  Professor  Au- 
gustus Franck  of  Saxony,  who  founded  the 
celebrated  Orphan  House  at  Hall,  which  after- 
wards became  a  flourishing  and  useful  Universi- 
ty. That  an  individual  clergyman,  without 
wealth  or  connexions  with  the  rich  or  great, 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  85 

settled  in  a  small  and  obscure  parish,  in  a 
country,  where  at  that  time  few  or  none  were 
rich,  tliat  he  should  by  his  own  exertions  raise 
an  institution,  which  has  commanded  the  notice 
and  charities  of  all  orders  of  men  in  Europe  and 
America,  from  the  menial  servant  to  the  power- 
ful monarch  on  the  throne,  and  finally  found  a 
flourishing  University,  laying  a  basis  for  endow- 
ments by  which  it  has  become  extensively  use- 
ful, ancl  promises  to  be  an  eminent  blessing  to 
future  generations,  is  an  impressive  example  in 
the  history  of  the  world  of  what  one  man  of 
persevering  zeal  may  accomplish.  Rather  by 
this  we  see  how  God  will  assist  and  prosper 
those  labors,  which  spring  from  a  desire  to  pro- 
mote his  glory  and  the  good  of  mankind.  Al- 
though while  pursuing  with  ardor  the  conversion 
of  the  Indians,  he  saw  his  School  from  a  small 
beginning  rise  to  distinguished  importance,  and 
saw  a  reputable  University  established  under  his 
fostering  hand,  he  was  not  vainly  elated  with 
the  success  of  his  plans ;  but  like  the  holy  proph- 
ets, Joseph  and  Daniel  in  their  remarkable  pros- 
perity, he  ascribed  all  the  glory  to  the  goodness 
of  God.  He  considered  the  College  as  an  assist- 
ant to  attain  the  first  great  object,  which  as  it 
were  absorbed  his  whole  soul,  the  conversion  of 
the  heathen.  Notwithstanding  many  discour- 
agements, the  good  which  he  was  instrumental 
of  accomplishing  for  this  purpose,  was  immense- 
ly great.  Though  a  nation  has  not  been  born  to 
God  in  a  day,  yet  it  is  believed  that  many  indi- 
vidual pagans  have  been  everlastingly  benefited 
by  the  labors  of  missionaries  from  his  School. 
Among  the  six  nations,  who  were  the  principal 
objects  of  his  attention,  some  good  fruits  are  dis- 
covered, even  at  the  present  day,  in  their  atten- 
tion to  civil  and  religious  institutions,  (k) 


S6  MEMOIRS  OF 

The  progress  of  refinement  from  a  savage  to  a 
civilized  condition  has  always  been  slow  and 
gradual.  It  is  the  work  of  ages.  To  enlighten 
the  wild  hunter  of  the  forest  with  a  knowledge 
of  the  arts  and  sciences,  to  inspire  him  with  a 
taste  for  the  refinements  of  civilized  society,  and 
the  practice  and  enjoyments  of  true  religion,  has 
always  been  attended  with  great  discouragements. 
The  most  painful  and  disinterested  labors  of 
christian  missionaries  have  in  many  instances 
failed  of  success.  To  name  no  more,  we  have 
recently  seen  a  sad  proof  of  this  in  the  faithful 
and  persev^ering,  yet  almost  unavailing  labors  of 
several  missionaries  at  Otaheite  and  other  islands 
in  the  Pacific  Ocean.  Christians  ought  not 
merely  from  want  of  complete  success  to  aban- 
don this  work  of  charity  to  the  souls  of  pagans. 
i^Uhough  in  some  cases  unforeseen  events  have 
disconcerted  the  wisest  measures  ;  yet  In  at- 
tempts which  have  been  conducted  prudently, 
more  have  been  the  instances  of  success  than 
failure.  Christian  societies  and  missionaries, 
who  have  sown  the  seeds  of  religious  knowledge 
among  pagan  nations,  have  generally  been  too 
impatient  to  reap  the  harvest ;  yet  has  it  pleased 
God  to  keep  alive  the  hallowed  fire,  and  to  ani- 
mate good  men  with  zeal  in  every  age  to  carry 
on  this  good  work.  They  should  recollect  that 
the  soil  is  uncultivated,  hard,  and  barren  ;  that 
much  labor  is  needful.  It  is  exceedingly  diffi- 
cult to  infuse  into  vacant  or  prejudiced  minds, 
suitable  conceptions  of  the  plainest  doctrines, 
which  are  revealed  in  the  bible.  Slowly  do  they 
admit  the  scripture  ideas  of  depravity  ;  of  the  a- 
tonement  made  for  sin  by  Jesus  Christ ;  of  re- 
pentance, faith,  and  holiness  of  heart  and  life. 
The  native  tribes  of  New  England,  were  instruct- 
ed in  the  doctrines  of  revelation  by  our  pious  an- 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  S7 

cestors,  pretty  readily  admitted  the  history  of 
the  old  testament,  respecting  the  creation,  the 
fall  of  man,  and  the  deluge  ;  hut  when  told  of  a 
Saviour,  and  his  sufferings  for  sinners,  they  cried 
o\xt pocatnie  ?  i.  e.  is  it  possible  ?  To  converse 
with  savages  on  moral  and  religious  subjects,  is 
speaking  to  them  in  an  unknown  tongue.  Their 
minds  have  not  been  employed  on  things  of  a 
spiritual  nature.  They  never  enter  into  their 
conversation.  They  are  never  the  theme  of  their 
orators.  Their  language  has  no  words  to  con- 
vey ideas,  with  any  precision,  on  these  important 
subjects. 

Enlightened  princes  have  ever  found  it  a  vast 
labor  to  civilize  and  reform  barbarians.  The 
wonderful  exertions  of  the  celebrated  Czar  Peter, 
the  Great,  Emperor  of  Russia,  in  this  work,  neai* 
the  commencement  of  the  last  century,  present 
a  forcible  example  of  the  slow  progress  made  in 
leading  nations  from  a  savage  to  a  social  life. 
Persevering  courage  and  wisdom,  are  necessary 
in  a  reformer  of  wild  hunters.  To  these  was 
united  in  Peter  the  Great,  the  arm  of  despotic 
authority  ;  yet  he  found  it  difficult  to  elevate  his 
subjects  to  the  rank  of  a  civilized  nation.  He 
spent  his  whole  life  in  the  work,  and  but  par- 
tially accomplished  his  object.  Nor  have  his 
successors,  to  this  day,  been  able  to  complete  the 
design.  Though  a  considerable  portion  of  this 
gigantic  empire  has  made  noble  advances  to- 
ward a  state  of  refinement,  yet  many  numerous 
tribes  still  remain  at  a  very  great  remove  from 
civilization.  Another  century  may  elapse  before 
they  attain  those  improvements,  which  are  ge- 
nerally enjoyed  in  Europe.  So  arduous  is  the 
labor  of  restraining  the  passions  of  savages;  of 
changing  their  habits,  and  producing  in  tlieir 
untutored  minds,  those  ideas  which  are  familiar^ 


B8  MEMOIRS  OF  '  . 

and  those  opinions  which  are  self  evident  to  pol- 
ished and  christianized  people. 

About  the  commencement  of  the  last  century^ 
a  remarkable  zeal  prevailed  in  several  parts  of 
Christendom,  to  convey  the  light  of  the  gospel' 
to  people  and  nations  "  sitting  in  darkness."  At 
that  time  a  society  of  pious  christians  was  form- 
ed in  Denmark,  encouraged  and  patronized  by 
their  excellent  King,  to  send  the  gospel  to  the 
numerous  tribes  of  Indians,  on  the  coast  of  Ma- 
labar, in  the  East  Indies.  Missionaries  from 
Germany  were  sent  into  that  distant  region. 
These  were  in  part,  supported  by  the  society  in 
England  for  propagating  the  gospel  in  foreign 
parts.  In  that  extensive  field  of  labor,  churches 
wTre  founded,  and  many  schools  established  for 
the  instruction  of  youth  in  human  science  and 
the  principles  of  the  christian  religion.  To  pro- 
mote this  noble  object,  Professor  Franck,  w^ha 
was  unwearied  in  doing  good,  lent  his  aid.  In  a 
letter  to  Mr.  Henry  Newman,  Secretary  to  the 
society  in  England,  Anno  1713,  after  respectful- 
ly noticing  the  assistance  of  that  society,  in  pro- 
moting the  godlike  vvork,  of  bringing  the  pagans 
to  the  east,  to  the  knowledge  of  the  Messiah,  he 
thus  proceeds:  "  Posterity  shall  learn  by  it,  bow 
one  nation  can  help  another  in  the  common  cause 
of  propagating  the  christian  religion,  finding 
that  the  German  nation  assisted  the  Danes,  as 
the  English  do  both.  In  the  beginning  of  my 
design,  to  promote  tins  glorious  entcrprize  cf  the 
DanYsli  nation,  1  very  much  scrupled  whether  I 
should  embark  in  it  or  no  ;  for  I  thought  to 
meddle  witli  a  foreign  work,  would  not  only 
hinder  ours  here,  but  even  dinVinish  it  ;  consi- 
dering the  vast  ex  pence  required  to  provide  for 
every  ensuing  year,  for  the  whole  orphan  house, 
so  many  school  masters,  and  other  iuuumerable 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  89 

accidents  without  any  certain  foundation.  But 
I  overcame  that  scruple  with  a  deep  reflection 
on  so  many  signal  steps  of  the  divine  providence 
in  works  of  this  nature,  since  I  laid  the  first  stone 
of  the  Orphan  House,  and  other  buildings  in 
which  I  was  engaged  ;  yea,  I  found  by  experi* 
ence,  of  which  you  may  be  certain,  that  the  pro- 
moting of  this  foreign  work,  was  not  only  no 
hinderance  to  our  own,  but  that  even  the  heaven- 
ly blessing  was  more  signally  shov/ered  upon  it. 
Conv^erting  the  Malabarian  heathen  is  a  catholic 
work,  worthy  to  be  promoted  by  ail  charitable 
and  public  spirited  christians."^ 

The  light  of  the  gospel,  which  in  the  days  of 
the  Apostles  shone  gloriously  in  the  East,  had 
been  nearly  extinguished  by  a  long  and  dreadful, 
night  of  Mahometan  darkness.  Encouragement 
to  christians  at  the  present  day,  to  receive  the 
glorious  hght  of  truth  in  chose  benighted  regions, 
may  be  derived  from  the  success  of  thgse  Danish 
and  German  missionaries.  By  them  the  way  is 
nov/  prepared;  the  good  seed  sown  by  them  is 
not  lost ;  christian  teachers  may  now  have  a 
friendly  access  to  them.  Those  who  are  desirous 
of  researches  into  the  religion,  sciences,  and  an- 
tiquities of  the  people  in  those  regions,  may  iii 
this  way  be  gratified.  The  venerable  society  in 
Scotland,  for  propagating  christian  knowledge, 
liave  been  engaged  about  a  century  in  generous 
labors  to  spread  the  rays  of  divine  revelation  a- 
inong  the  numerous  clans,  who  inhabit  the  ex-^ 
tensive  and  remote  highlands,  and  the  islands  of 
the  northern  ocean.  Astonisb-ing  progress  has 
been  made  in  this  blessed  work.  Those  waste 
and  steril  fields,  by  long  cultivation,  have  pro- 
duced precious  fruit  to  the  joy  of  Zion  and  the 

*  See  propagation  of  the  gospel  io  the  J?,ait 
12 


90  MEMOIRS  OF 

glory  of  the  Redeemer ;  much  remains  to  be 
clone.  The  good  already  effected  encourages  the 
pious  and  charitable  to  persevere  in  their  exer- 
tions, and  to  seek  the  enlargement  of  their  funds. 

In  later  times  the  Moravians  have,  with  apos- 
tolic zeal,  carried  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel 
among  the  heathen.  In  almost  every  part  of  the 
pagan  world,  success  has  rewarded  their  labors. 
They  have  penetrated  the  regions  of  Tartary ; 
made  establishments  on  the  Wolga  ;  raised  the 
banner  of  the  cross  in  the  empire  of  Mahomet, 
They  have  planted  the  rose  of  Sharon  on  the 
burning  sands  of  Africa,  and  the  frozen  coast  of 
Greenland.*  They  have  cheered  our  western 
forests  w^ith  songs  of  christian  praise,  on  the 
banks  of  the  Muskingum,  and  in  other  places 
they  have  villages  of  praying  Indians.  A  gra- 
dual and  pleasing  improvement  of  temper  and 
manners,  has  taken  place  among  the  heathen,  to 
whom  they  have  borne  the  news  of  salvation. 
On  the  Muskingum  and  Big  River  Creek,  houses 
of  worship  were  erected,  where  the  Indians  with 
their  missionaries  attended  morning  and  evening 
prayer.  They  wholly  withdrew  from  the  society 
of  the  wild  Indians;  they  acquired  considerable 
know^ledge  of  agriculture  ;  they  were  civil  to 
strangers  ;  they  w^ere  moral  and  submissive  to 
the  regulations  of  their  teachers. f  . 

Faithful  men  are  employed  for  "  the  help  of 
the  Lord  against  the  mighty  ;"  nor  should  they 
despond,  though  success  should  not  answer  their 

*  See  Ciantz  history  of  the  Moravian  missions  in  Greenland. 

t  The  Moravians  deserve  praise  for  carrying"  the  gospel  to  those 
\\ho  are  .destitute.  They  enter  not  on  o^her  mens'  labors,  nor  build  oa 
foundations  already  laid.  Directly  opposite  to  this  christian  conduct  is 
that  of  one  or  two  modern  sects,  who,  like  tlieir  predecessors,  "  compass 
sea  and  land  to  make  one  proselyte"  from  other  denominations.  They 
make  a  mighty  merit  of  their  zeal  to  christianize  christians,  and  build 
their  temples  with  broken  pillars,  plundered  from  the  churches  of 
Christ,  which  have  been  rent  and  shattered  by  their  unhallowed  hands. 


DR.  WIIEELOCK. 


9> 


Iiopes.     Enough  is  effected  to  show  that  our  la- 
bors are  not  in  vain.     Morning  and  evening  we 
should  sow  the  seed  ;  we  know  not  when  the 
harvest  may  reward  tlie  labor  ;  yet  we  are   sure 
the  joyful  moment  will  come.     Ages  ela[)«ed  af- 
ter the  preaching  of  Christ  and  the  Apostles,  be- 
fore the  Roman  Empire  became  christian.     The 
divine  Saviour  honored  his  immediate  disciples  to 
do  more  toward  enlightening  and  reforming  the 
world  in  forty  years,  than  was  done  by  their  suc- 
cessors, ministers  and  martyrs  in  two  hundred 
and  sixty.     Commissioned  by   their   Lord  and 
Master,  inspired  with  supernatural  wisdom,  en- 
dowed with  the  gift  of  speaking  various  lan- 
guages ;  armed  with  the  power  of  performing 
miracles,    the  humble  fishermen  of  Galilee  and 
their  associates  traversed  the    world;    heathen 
oracles  were   struck  dumb  ;  pagan  priests  and 
philosophers  were  confounded  ;  kings  and  rulers 
no  longer  directed  the  public   opinion ;    their 
prisons,  racks,  and  fires  lost  their  terrors;    villa- 
ges, cities,  and  countries  embraced  the  prophet  of 
Nazareth  for  their  Saviour  and  their  God.     The 
mild  precepts  of  his  gospel  soon  had  more  influ- 
ence in  society,  than  all  the  maxims  of  philoso- 
phy ;  all  the  laws  of  legislators,  and  all  the  ven- 
geance of  persecutors.     Gross  vices  disappeared 
where  the  herald  of  the  gospel  came,  and  a  new 
era  of  virtue  and  felicity  commenced.     This  was 
not  human   might  nor  skill,  but  the  power  of 
God.     Without  the  agency  of  the  divine  spirit, 
such  is  the  natural  opposition  of  the  heart  to  the 
gospel  of  Jesus  Christ,  that  all  the  miracles  of 
the  Apostles,  their  gift  of  tongues,  and  the  thun- 
ders of  their  eloquence,  would  never  have  changed 
the  heart  of  one  pagan;  would  never  have  moved 
one  to  repent  of  his  sins,  nor  to  believe  in  Jesus 
Christ,  as  the  Saviour  of  the  world.     By  the  om- 
Jiipotence  of  this  divine  agent,  the  preaching  of 


9'^  MEMOIRS  OF 

the  cross  became  the  wisdom  of  Gocl,  and  the 
power  of  God  to  them  who  beheved.  Yet  was 
it  three  hundred  years  after  our  Saviour,  before 
the  christian  rehgion  was  estabhshed  in  the  Ro- 
man empire.  The  nations  which  composed  that 
empire  were  civihzed,  and  some  of  them,  partic- 
ularly the  Athenians  and  Corinthians,  the  in- 
habitants of  Antioch  and  Rome,  were  the  most 
learned  and  rehned  people  in  the  world.  If  with 
all  the  advantages  from  the  miracles  and  resur- 
rection of  Jesus  Christ ;  if  with  the  wonderful 
success  and  miraculous  gifts  of  his  apostles,  it 
was  found  by  their  successor  a  work  of  so  much 
time,  to  turn  the  nations  to  their  gracious  Sa- 
viour, we  may  not  rationally  expect  that  the  be- 
nighted Indians  of  America  can  be  speedily  or 
at  once  brought  to  embrace  the  gospel.  Before 
they  can  enjoy  the  comforts  and  advantages  of 
the  christian  religion,  they  must  be  in  some  de- 
gree civilized.  To  promote  these  objects,  some 
of  the  Legislatures  of  New  England  have  done 
much  in  former,  as  well  as  in  later  times.  They 
have  been  induced  to  make  these  sacrifices  from 
compassion  for  them  in  their  miserable  and  pe- 
rishing situation,  and  sometimes,  perhaps,  from 
political  motives.  Sev^eral  charitable  christian 
societies  have  been  formed  for  the  benefit  of  In- 
dians. These  have  devoted  much  time  and  ex- 
pence  to  advance  their  best  interests.  From  the 
lirst  settlement  of  New  England  to  this  day,  this 
good  work  has  been  pursued  with  the  purest  mo- 
tives ;  a  goodly  number  of  christian  ministers, 
respectable  for  their  talents,  learning,  and  piety, 
have  constantly  devoted  themselves  to  the  ser- 
vice of  the  Indians.  From  compassion  to  their 
souls  they  have  lived  am.ong  them,  learned  tlieir 
barbarous  language,  and  cheerfully  endured  all 
manner  of  self  denial  and  hardships  to  bring 
them  to  the  knowledge  of  God  and  our  Saviour. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  9S 

Among  the  first  and  most  eminent  of  these 
faithful  servants  of  Christ,  was  the  Rev.  and  re- 
nowned John  Eliot,  who,  perhaps,  has  exceed- 
ed every  other  individual  in  his  personal  labors 
for  the  conversion  of  the  Indians.  On  account 
of  zeal  and  success  in  tlie  good  work,  he  has 
justly  been  called  the  Apostle  of  the  .Indians. 
He  collected  them  together  in  a  number  of  villa- 
ges ;  he  taught  them  husbandry  ;  the  mechanic 
arts,  and  the  prudent  management  of  their  af- 
fairs. They  had  magistrates,  judges,  and  courts 
of  tlieir  own  appointment.  He  established 
schools  among  them  ;  he  formed  catechisms  for 
children  and  adults  ;  he  translated  the  whole  bi- 
ble into  their  language,  and  several  other  pious 
books.  He  traversed  the  wilderness  himself  and 
preached  to  them  in  season  and  out  of  season  ; 
he  formed  a  number  of  churches,  who  had  offi- 
cers and  teachers  of  their  own  nation.  At  one 
time  there  Vv'ere  in  Massachusetts,  twenty  four 
Indian  preachers,  and  the  same  number  of 
churches  and  congregations.  These  Indians  in 
general  prayed  in  their  families ;  regularly  at- 
tended public  worship,  and  in  a  great  degree 
laid  aside  their  savage  habits.  The  names  of  the 
venerable  Mahews,  father,  son,  and  grandson, 
will  never  be  forgotten  in  our  churches.*  They 
labored  vrith  wonderful  success  among  the  In- 
dians of  T^Iartha's  Vineyard,  and  the  neighbour- 
ing islands.  Remnants  of  the  churches  formed 
by  them  continue  to  this  day.  The  Rev.  Mr. 
John  Cotton,  of  Plymouth,  preached  to  the  na- 
tives in  their  own  lauffuaoe,  had  five  conarreo^a- 
tions  of  them  under  his  care  to  whom  he  preach- 
ed every  week.  On  Cape  Cod  v/ere  six  congre- 
gations of  Indians,  who  had  as  many  preachers 
of  their  own.     To  these  the  Rev.  Samuel  Treat 

*  History  of  New  England,  by  Moass  and  Parish. 


94  MEMOIRS  OF 

often  preached  in  their  own  language.  The  Rev. 
Mr.  Bourne  also  studied  the  language  of  the  In- 
dians, and  preached  to  them  with  much  success. 
In  Connecticut,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Fitch  and  Pierson , 
preached  Jesus  and  the  resurrection  to  the  na- 
tives in  their  vicinity.     In  later  times,  the  pious 
and    indefatigable   brothers,    David   and   John 
Brainard  labored  among  the  Indians  of  New  Jer- 
sey and  the   Susquehanna.     The  zeal  and  forti- 
tude, the  piety  and  success  of  the  elder  brother 
have  long  been  known  to  the  religious  public  by 
his  printed   life  and  journal.     The   pious   and 
learned  Mr.  John  Sargeant,  amomg  the  Stock- 
"bridge  Indians,   and  his  son  who  now  succeeds 
him  in  this   good  work,   and  many  more  that 
might   be  mentioned,  appear  as  a  cloud  of  wit- 
nesses that  the  poor  heathen  of  this  country  have 
not  been  neglected.     Most  zealous  and  persever- 
ing attempts  have  been  made  for  their  improve- 
ment and  salvation.     The  blessing  of  heaven  has 
attended  those  labors  to  the  conversion  of  mul- 
titudes.    Much,  however,  remained  to  be  done. 
Dr.  Wheelock  saw  the  immense  field ;  he  zeal- 
ously entered  on  the  work.     No  individual,  no 
society  of  christians  in  America  has  done  more 
to  diffuse  the  gospel,  and  the  blessings  of  civili- 
zation among  the  Indians  than  Dr.  Wheelock. 
His  missionary  school  rose  like  a  new  star  to  en- 
lighten the  wilderness.     Many  have  rejoiced  in 
its  light.     In  his  day  he  had  the  satisfaction  of 
seeing  the  remnants  of  various  tribes,  which  were 
scattered  among  the  English  settlements,  instruc- 
ted in   the  gospel  by  his   Indian  pupils.*     But 
the  two  leading   tribes  of  the  Six  Nations,  the 

*  There  were  congregations  of  christian  Indians  at  Narraganset, 
Montank,  Mohegan,  Stonington,  and  between  Groton  and  Preston,  and 
in  the  Jerkies.  In  all  these  places  Mr.  Occum  preached,  and  Doctor 
Wheelock  supplied  them  occasionally  with  other  preachers  and  school 
masters. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  95 

Oneidas  and  Mohawks,  received  the  most  per- 
manent and  conspicuous  advantages  from  the 
labors  of  Dr.  Wheelock.  They  were  the  more 
particular  objects  of  his  attention ;  to  them  he 
sent  the  greatest  number  of  his  school  masters 
and  missionaries ;  and  they  now  in  their  man- 
ners approach  nearer  to  civilized  people,  than  any 
tribes  in  North  America.  Their  habits  of  self 
o*overnment,  their  observance  of  social  order, 
their  religious  mstitutions,  their  temperance,  and 
particularly  their  cultivation  of  their  lands,  to 
which  Indians  have  ever  entertained  an  obstinate 
aversion,  exceed  every  thing  of  the  kind  among 
the  natives  of  this  country.  For  these  advan- 
tages they  are  indebted,  under  providence  to 
their  zealous,  and  persevering  friend,  the  founder 
of  Moor's  School.  In  conformation  of  this  I  beg 
leave  to  introduce  to  the  reader  the  following 
letters  and  extracts.  The  first  is  from  a  pupil  of 
Dr.  Wheelock's. 

Frnrn  Col.  Joseph  Brant,  Sachem  of  the  Mohawk 
Tribe,  and  Chief  of  the  Five  Confederate  Na- 
tions in  Upper  Canada,  to  the  Hon.  John  fVhee- 
loch,  President  of  Dai^tmoiith  College. 

Grand  River,  February  9,  1801. 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  your  favor  of  the  36. 
of  November  last.  I  have  delayed  answering  it 
until  the  return  of  Capt.  Brigham. 

I  receive  an  inexpressible  satisfaction  in  hear- 
ing from  you,  that  you  have  taken  my  sons  un- 
der your  protection ;  and  also  to  find  that  you 
yet  retain  a  strong  remembrance  of  our  ancient 
friendship.  For  my  part,  nothing  can  ever  ef- 
face from  my  memory  the  persevering  attention 
your  revered  father  paid  to  my  education,  when 


9^  MEMOIRS  OP 

I  was  in  the  place  my  sons  now  are.  Though  I 
was  an  unprolitable  pupil  in  some  respects  ;  yet 
my  worldly  affairs  have  been  much  benefited  by 
the  instruction  I  there  received.  I  hope  my 
children  may  reap  greater  advantages  under  your 
care,  both  with  respect  to  their  future  as  well  as 
their  worldly  welfare. 

Their  situation  at  your  brother's  meets  with 
my  highest  approbation.  Your  (goodness,  in 
having  provided  for  them  out  of  the  funds,  far 
exceeds  my  expectations,  and  merits  my  wannest 
thanks.  The  reason  that  induced  me  to  send 
them,  to  be  instructed  under  your  care,  is  the 
assurance  I  had  that  their  morals  and  education 
would  be  there  more  strictly  attended  to,  than 
at  any  other  place  I  know  of. 

I  am  much  pleased  at  the  kindness  you  shew 
in  pressing  them  to  be  familiar  at  your  house. 
I  beg  you  will  be  constant  in  exhorting  them  to 
conduct  themselves  with  propriety.  The  cha- 
racter you  give  me  of  the  Vv^orthy  gentleman, 
their  preceptor,  is  extremely  pleasing.  From  the 
whole,  I  feel  perfectly  easy  with  respect  to  their 
situation,  and  the  care  taken  of  their  education, 
and  am  fully  convinced  that  all  now  depends  on 
their  own  exertions.  The  steady  friendship  you 
do  me  the  honor  to  assure  me  of,  is  what,  from 
numberless  obligations,  I  doubly  owe  your  fami- 
ly on  my  part;  and  I  beg  leave  to  assure  you, 
tliat  until  death  I  remain  your  sincere  friend. 

Should    their  be  any  thing  you  might  wish 
from  these  parts,  curiosities  or  the  like,  I  shall  be 
happy  to  send  them  to  you. 
Dear  Sir,  I  am, 

Your  very  humble  servant, 

"   JOSEPH  BRANT. 

Hon.  John  Wiieelock,  Esq. 


DR.  WHEELOCK,  97 

This  respectable  Sachem,  (whose  father  was 
also  Sachem  of  the  Mohawks,  after  the  death  of 
the  famous  king  Henclric)  and  who  has  always 
lived  in  the  English  manner,  in  a  letter  to  the 
President,  relative  to  the  education  of  his  sons, 
dated  Buftaloe  Creek,  July  23,  1801,  thus  writes : 

^'  It  gives  me  great  satisfiiction  to  hear  that  my 
sons  have  so  conducted  themselves,  as  to  merit 
your  approbation.  The  hopes  you  form  of  them 
is  pleasing  beyond  expression.  When  my  sons 
went  away,  I  promised  they  should  remain  only 
one  year ;  but  as  they  seem  to  make  progress, 
I  hope  you  will  begin  by  times  to  convince  them, 
it  is  their  interest  to  remain  another  winter,  and 
exert  themselves  in  their  studies.  I  intend  2:0- 
ing  to  England  this  fall,  and  should  I  return  safe 
in  the  spring,  I  will  see  them,  and  they  might 
then  come  out  on  a  visit  home." 

The  two  sons  of  Col.  Brant  abovementioned, 
were  brought  six  hundred  miles  from  their  fath- 
er's house  to  Moor's  School,  in  October,  1 800, 
by  Col.  Benjamin  Sumner,  of  Clarimont.  The 
Colonel  resided  fifteen  months  among  the  In- 
dians in  Canada ;  and  in  a  letter  to  Doctor 
Wheelock,  he  mentions  the  great  improvements, 
which  the  Six  Nations,  particularly  the  Mo- 
hawks, have  made  in  agriculture  and  the  con- 
veniences of  living,  as  really  surprising;  and  that 
this  change  is  in  a  considerable  degree  to  be  at- 
tributed to  the  influence  of  Col.  Brant,  and  other 
leading  characters  among  them,  who  had  been 
educated  by  the  late  Dr.  Wheelock.  He  also 
mentions  the  charge  which  Col.  Brant  gave  him 
relative  to  his  sons,  which  was,  that  they  should 
be  educated  in  letters,  piety,  and  virtue, 

13 


98  MEMOIRS  OF 

Francis  Annance,  Sachem  of  the  St.  Francois 
Indians  in  Canada,  had  the  advantages  of  an  En- 
glish school  education.  He  has  a  promising  son, 
who  is  now  a  member  of  Moor's  Indian  SchooL 
In  a  letter  to  the  Hon.  President  Wheelock,  of 
Sept.  1803,  he  thus  writes  : 

"  I  have  experienced  the  art  of  reading  and 
writing  to  be  of  more  than  common  benefit  to 
man,  in  respect  to  his  present  occasions,  and  the 
bettering  of  his  understanding  and  judgment, 
hy  giving  him  a  sight  into  things  both  of  a  civil 
and  spiritual  nature,  which  would  otherwise  un- 
doubtedly have  escaped  his  knowledge.  But 
this  advantage  is  quite  unknown  to  my  nation  ; 
therefore  they  see  not  the  value  of  jt.  But  if  I 
should  be  supported  by  this  government,  to 
whom  I  have  applied  for  the  same,  so  that  I  may 
be  able  to  instruct  our  children  here  steadily,  for 
four  or  five  years,  they  would  then  begin  to  see 
the  beauties  of  learning." 

May  this  enlightened  and  generous  chief  be 
assisted  in  his  good  intentions.  He  did  succeed 
in  his  application  to  the  British  government  for 
support.  He  has  actually  taken  upon  himself 
the  useful  office  of  school  master,  and  is  now 
teaching  the  children  of  his  people  the  useful 
arts  of  civilized  nations.  He  receives  a  salary 
from  the  king  of  England  of  a  hundred  dollars 
j&er  cmmim.  He  was  several  years  a  member  of 
Moor's  School,  and  left  it  about  the  close  of  the 
revolutionary  war.  In  this  connexion,  the  fol- 
lowing extract  of  a  letter  to  Dr.  John  Wheelock, 
from  the  Ilev.  Davenport  Phelps,  of  Upper 
Canada,  may  be  very  acceptable. 


BR.  WHEELOCic.  99 

Extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  Da'cenport 
Phelps,  of  Upper  Canada,  to  Dr.  John  Whee- 
locli. 

Glanford,  U.  C.  November  1,  1800. 

^« I  cannot,  sir,  but  here  observe,  that 


strong  hopes  may  be  entertained,  that  we  may 
yet  see  the  zvilderness  hud  and  blossom  like  the  rose. 
There  is  already  a  degree  of  civilization  among  a 
number  of  the  nations,  which  would  surprize  a 
stranger.  And  with  some  of  them  there  is  such 
an  appearance  of  Christianity,  that  many  of  the 
whites  who  possess  it,  might  well  blush  at  a  com- 
parative view.  Of  this  great  and  important  al- 
teration, and  of  the  present  pleasing  prospect  of 
success,  in  extending  the  knowledge  of  the  Re- 
deemer among  them  (if  suitable  measures  might 
be  adopted,  and  exertions  used  for  the  purpose) 
I  am  fully  persuaded  the  labors  of  your  venera- 
ble predecessor,  under  God,  hav^e  been  the  cause. 
Col.  Brant  greatly  encourages  civilization  and 
Christianity.  Through  his  exertions  and  influen- 
tial example  among  the  Indians,  it  is  to  be  hop- 
ed, their  progress  towards  refinement  my  yet  be 
considerable," 

Such  is  the  satisfactory  evidence,  that  good  fruit 
15  gathered  in  those  extensive  fields,  cultivated 
by  Doctor  Wheelock,  long  after  he  rests  from 
his  labors.  Among  these  christian  tribes  his 
name  will  not  be  pronounced,  but  with  a  glow  of 
gratitude  and  afiection.  It  must  give  pleasure 
to  every  benevolent  mind,  to  read  the  letters  of 
some,  who  were  his  Indian  pupils.  They  display 
the  advantages  of  education  on  the  savage  mind. 
Their  ingenuous  feelings,  the  correctness  of  their 
sentiments,  the  propriety  of  their  expressions, 
the  quickness  of  then'  apprehension,  and  justness 


100  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  their  reasonings,  certainly  do  them  honor. 
To  do  justice  to  their  characters,  we  must  consi- 
der how  transient  were  their  opportunities  for 
scientific  improvements  ;  we  must  consider,  who 
have  been  their  associates  in  the  wilderness,  most- 
ly exckided  from  civilized  society;  excluded 
from  books,  from  civil,  literary  and  religious  in- 
stitutions. 

It  has  been  a  question  with  some,  whether  the 
Indians  possess  a  sufficiency  of  original  genius 
to  make  any  considerable  progress  in  literature. 
The  opinion  that  they  do  not,  is  founded  princi^ 
pally  on  two  circumstances.  One  is,  that  not- 
withstanding great  pains  have  been  taken  to  make 
scholars  of  many,  yet  none  have  appeared  emi- 
nent in  science.  The  other  is,  that  though  they 
have  had  opportunity,  for  almost  two  centuries, 
by  living  near  the  English,  to  see  the  superior 
advantages  of  civilized  life,  yet  they  in  general, 
remain  strongly  attached  to  their  original  savage 
manners.  From  a  superficial  view  of  these  rea- 
sons, a  conclusion  unfavorable  to  the  natural  abi- 
lities of  the  Indians  seems  to  follow;  yet  a  vari- 
ety of  facts  renders  the  conclusion  more  than 
doubtful.  It  is  true  that  a  considerable  number 
of  Indian  youth  have  been  admitted  into  Eng- 
lish schools  ;  and  it  is  as  true,  that  very  few  have 
been  conducted  through  a  regular  course  of  col- 
legiate studies.  One  at  Harvard,  one  at  Dart- 
mouth, and  perhaps  as  many  at  Princeton,  have 
received  collegiate  honors.  It  is  not  to  be  sup- 
posed that  any  of  these  were  in  a  situation  to  pur- 
sue their  studies  after  leaving  college  to  much  ad- 
vantage. From  there  not  being  some  among  them, 
■who  are  distinguished  luminaries  of  science,  noth- 
ing unfavorable  can  be  inferred.  None  have 
enjoyed  the  means.  Such  are  their  roving  habits 
in  early  life,  that  constant  study  has  been  found 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  101 

injurious  to  their  health  and  dispositions.  They 
are  exceedingly  averse  to  discipHne  and  restraint ; 
and  have,  therefore,  generally  given  over  the  pur- 
suit, before  they  had  finished  a  regular  course  of 
education.  The  discrimination  between  them  and 
others,  consists  essentially  in  habits  and  disposi- 
tions, rather  than  original  genius.  No  greater 
difference  in  genius,  between  them  and  others 
exists,  than  what  is  generally  observable,  between 
children  of  the  same  or  different  families. 

The  journals  of  Doctor  Wheelock's  missiona- 
ries, and  others,  would  furnish  volumes  to  prove 
the  good  abilities  of  Indians.  Some  of  the  prin- 
cipal persons  in  this  country  have  been  called  re- 
peatedly to  meet  in  council  with  them  on  nation- 
al concerns.  They  have  always  borne  testimony 
to  the  deep  penetration,  n^anly  sentiments,  and 
forcible  eloquence  of  their  leading  men.  King 
Hendric,  formerly  Sachem  of  the  Mohawks,  was, 
in  the  opinion  of  the  best  judges,  a  man  of  un- 
commonly bright  genius  and  sound  judgment. 
He  undoubtedly  possessed  a  degree  of  wisdom 
and  sublimity  of  thought'beyond  the  common 
lot  of  men.  Good  Peter,  of  Oneida,  was  known 
and  universally  respected  as  a  man  of  superior 
powers  of  mind,  and  goodness  of  heart.*  Other 
instances  might  be  mentioned  of  Indians  distin- 
guished for  various  talents.  In  the  early  settle- 
ment of  New  England,  under  the  instruction  of 
the  venerable  Eliot,  the  ^lahews,  and  others, 
several  Indians  became  judicious  and  eminent 
preachers  of  the  gospel.  Several  causes  have 
operated  to  impede  their  progress  in  learning, 
and  to  counteract  the  efforts  to  civilize  them. 
A  love  of  ease,  an  aversion  to  those  mental  and 
bodily  labors,  Vv'hich  are  the  price  of  civilization, 

*  A  good  likeness  of  this  worthy  Chief  may  be  seen  in  Mr.  Slu- 
ard's  i\Iuseum,  Hartiorci. 


102  MEMOIRS  OF 

is  a  powerful  obstacle  to  their  improvemenh 
Hunger  and  revenge  are  with  them,  the  most 
powerful  springs  of  action.  In  addition  to  their 
indolence,  their  country  seems  to  invite  them  to 
a  vagrant,  savage  life.  The  widely  extended 
forests,  lakes,  and  rivers  of  this  continent,  at  some 
seasons,  afford  them  a  plentiful  supply  of  food, 
procured  by  the  pleasing  amusements  of  fishing 
and  huntino'.  Of  the  same  tendencv  is  their 
ignorance  of  individual  property,  their  unbound- 
ed love  of  liberty,  their  ardent  passion  for  war, 
which  opens  to  them  the  only  door  of  honor  or 
distinction  in  their  tribe ;  their  jealousy  of  the 
whites,  that  they  secretly  design  to  subdue  their 
spirits  and  enslave  them  by  every  apparent  at- 
tempt for  their  civilization  ;  their  pride  of  spirit, 
which  disdains  the  toils  of  the  English,  and  feels 
superior  to  us  in  wisdom,  fortitude,  and  felicity. 
They  of  course  appear  to  feel  no  emotions  of 
envy,  witnessing  our  advantages.  Nearly  all 
tliese  obstacles  to  their  civilization,  impede  their 
conversion  to  Christianity.  To  these  we  may 
add  their  constitutional  and  ungovernable  thirst 
for  ardent  spirits  ;  the  profane  and  heathenish 
lives  of  nominal  christians,  who  traffic  with  them 
or  live  on  their  borders,  and  what  is  more  than 
all  the  rest,  the  amazing  opposition  of  the  nat- 
ural heart  to  the  holy  doctrines  and  duties  of  the 
christian  religion.  Formidable  as  these  hinder- 
ances  are,  the  power  of  divine  grace  has  in  many 
instances  overcome  them.  Many  of  them  have 
enlisted  under  the  banner  of  the  cross,  and 
proved  themselves  the  faithful  friends  of  Jesus 
Christ. 

Those  attempts  to  civilize  them  have  been 
most  successful,  which  have  been  accompanied 
with  charitable  aids,  particularly  bread  and  cloth- 
ing, to  render  them  comfortable.     About  the 


BR.  WHEELOCK.  105 

year.  1793,  the  government  of  the  United  States 
adopted  the  humane  plan  of  conciliating  the 
friendship  of  the  Indians  on  our  borders,  by  pur- 
suing this  mode.  They  furnished  different  tribes 
with  some  of  the  most  necessary  implements  of 
husbandry  and  domestic  manufactures.  Th-ey 
employed  skilful  men  to  instruct  them  in  their 
use,  and  to  labor  for  them  at  the  expence  of  gov- 
ernment. Individual  states  have  adopted  a  sim- 
ilar plan  respecting  the  tribes,  which  inhabit 
their  borders  ;  annual  pensions  have  been  allow- 
ed them  by  some  of  the  States.  The  conse- 
quences have  been  happy.  Peace  has  reigned 
in  all  our  new  and  distant  settlements ;  the  In- 
dians begin  to  realize  the  advantages  of  social 
life,  and  of  their  alliance  with  us.  How  happ}^ 
would  it  have  been,  if  according  to  the  spirit  of 
the  gospel,  the  money,  which  has  been  expended 
in  war  for  their  destruction,  had  been  employed 
to  render  them  wiser  and  better.  These  good 
beginnings  seem  to  be  preparing  the  gospel  to 
be  introduced  among  numerous  tribes.  At  the 
southard,  the  Rev.  Gideon  Blackburn  of  Mary- 
ville,  Tennessee,  has  had  very  considerable  suc- 
cess among  the  Cherokees.  In  a  letter  to  Pre- 
sident VVheelock  he  writes,  that  the  prospect  of 
christianizing  the  nation  is  encouraging;  that 
difficulties  formerly  in  the  way  are  in  a  great 
measure  removed  ;  that  a  pretty  strong  desire-  to 
practise  the  customs,  and  learn  the  language  of 
our  people,  prevails  among  the  Chiefs  of  the  na- 
tion. He  has  established  two  schools  among 
them  ;  the  children  make  laudable  progress,  the 
adults  are  friendly  and  attentive  ;  the  pious  and 
charitable  have  contributed  large  sums  to  carry 
on  the  work  ;  the  friends  of  Zion  rejoice  in  the 
pleasing  prospect.  The  agents  of  government 
among  the  Indians  confirm  these  things  in  their 


t04i  Memoirs  o^ 

official  reports.  They  also  certify  that  they  ard 
satisfied  with  their  donations  ;  that  they  have  al- 
ready made  some  progress  in  agriculture  and  in- 
ferior manufactures. 

The  vast  country  of  Louisiana  opens  a  bound- 
less field  of  labor  for  the  conversion  of  the  hea- 
then. All  the  tribes  from  the  Mississippi  to  the 
Pacific  are  friendly  to  us.  Some  of  their  chiefs 
have  visited  our  principal  towns,  and  are  satisfied 
with  their  treatment.  Seldom  has  the  christian 
world  seen  a  more  animating  prospect  of  extend- 
ing the  light  of  the  gospel  among  pagans,  than 
is  here  presented. 

As  it  is  the  will  of  God  that  Kings  and  Presi- 
dents should  be  the  nursing  fathers  of  his  church ; 
as  the  most  renowned  conquerors  and  rulers  of 
the  earth,  Alexander  the  Great,  Cyrus,  Con- 
stantine,  Theodosius,  and  many  others,  have  ren- 
dered immense  services  to  the  church  of  God  ; 
so  is  it  the  prayer  and  hope  of  the  religious  pub- 
lic, that  our  general  government,  may  furnish 
means  for  the  instruction  of  Indian  youth,  by  es- 
tablishing schools  in  all  their  principal  villages, 
under  the  care  of  pious  teachers ;  and  may  soci- 
eties for  the  propagation  of  the  gospel  send  faith- 
ful missionaries  to  lead  them  in  the  way  to  eter^ 
nal  life. 

Although  missionary  and  other  charitable  so- 
eties,  have  not,  in  times  past,  met  with  all  that 
success  wliich  they  expected ;  yet  it  is  a  conso- 
lation that  great  benefits  have  accrued  to  the  new 
formed  settlements  of  white  people,  by  means  of 
their  faithful  missionaries.  Numerous  churches 
have  been  gathered  and  organized,  the  ordinances 
administered,  tlie  gospel  preached  with  success, 
destitute  settlements  united  and  established  in 
religious  order.  But  the  good  effects  of  this 
christian  philanthropy  are  not  confined  to  the 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  105 

borders  of  the  United  States.  The  society  in 
Scotland  for  propagating  christian  knowledge, 
have  been  wonderfully  successful  in  conveying 
the  knowledge  of  the  gospel  to  the  rude  and  un- 
enlightened tribes,  w4io  reside  in  the  distant 
Highlands  and  Islands  of  that  country.  The  edu- 
cation of  the  rising  generation,  in  the  principles 
of  religion  and  the  useful  sciences  is  the  chief 
object  of  that  respectable  society.  About  six- 
teen thousand  children  and  youth  are  now  in- 
structed gratis  by  the  masters  whom  they  em- 
ploy, and  thirteen  of  their  missionaries  itinerate 
to  preach  the  everlasting  gospel  to  those  poor 
destitute  people.  As  it  pleases  God  to  bless  the 
means  for  perpetuating  the  knowledge  of  the 
gospel  among  the  descendents  of  his  own  cove- 
nant people,  it  is  no  doubt  our  duty  to  persevere 
in  the  same  work  among  the  heathen.  The  pre- 
cious fruit  may  hereafter  appear.  "  In  the  morn- 
ing sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  withold 
not  thy  hand,  for  thou  knowest  not  whether 
shall  prosper  either  this  or  that.  Cast  thy  bread 
upon  the  w^aters,  for  thou  shaltfind  it  after  many- 
days."  It  v/ould  be  important  to  introduce  civi- 
lization and  religion  among  the  Indians,  were  no 
otlier  advantage  to  result,  than  making  them 
peaceable  neighbors  ;  but  Vvdien  we  look  forward 
to  the  eternal  world  we  are  lost  in  calculating  the 
importance  of  the  event;  we  are  assured  that  the 
conversion  of  one  soul  is  of  infinite  moment;  it 
causes  joy  in  heaven  among  the  angels  of  God. 

The  conversion  of  the  pagan  world  is  estJib- 
lished  by  the  irreversible  decrees  of  heaven  ;  the 
time  and  the  means  are  equally  determined. 
AVithout  doubt  those  means  are  the  fiithful  la- 
bors of  christian  missionaries,  accompanied  with 
the  prayers  of  the  church.  Though  the  season 
of  their  receiving-  the  gospel  is  witii  God,  yet  is 
14 


106  MEMOIRS  OF 

it  our  duty  constantly  to  employ  the  means  ap- 
parently necessary  to  produce  the  glorious  event. 

The  celebrated  Apostle  Eliot,  and  other  good 
men,  have  been  stimulated  to  great  zeal  in 
spreading  the  gospel  among  the  Indians,  from  a 
behef  or  hope,  that  they  are  the  descendents  of 
Abram.  Several  plausible  reasons  encourage 
such  an  opinion. 

''As  the  people  of  Israel  were  separated  from  all 
others,  and  the  tribes  kept  distinct ;  so  is  it  with 
the  American  Indians.  Each  nation  has  its  sym- 
bol, or  each  tribe  its  badge,  by  which  it  is  deno- 
minated. The  Mohawks,  for  example,  were  di- 
vided into  three  tribes,  denominated  the  bear, 
the  tortoise  and  the  wolf.  Each  of  these  tribes 
bore  the  animal  for  which  it  was  called,  as  a  coat 
of  arms,  in  its  banner.  When  Cortes  and  a  part 
of  his  troops  entered  Llascala,  a  city  of  South  A- 
merica,  the  inhabitants  came  out  to  meet  them, 
'^  each  tribe  distinct  and  separate  ;  of  these  there 
wereybwr."  *'  The  priests  came  with  their  pots 
of  incense  in  loose  white  garments."  This  natu- 
rally reminds  us,  that  when  Alexander  and  his 
soldiers  entered  Jerusalem,  two  thousand  years 
before,  that  the  people  and  priests  came  out  "  ta 
meet  him,  dressed  in  white  garments." 

The  Indians,  like  the  Israelites,  reckon  time 
b}^  sleeps  and  moons,  or  lunar  months  and  days. 

The  Indians  have  their  high  priest  and  pro- 
phets. In  every  tribe  is  a  high  priest,  and  seve- 
ral, who  are  subordinate.  In  some  tribes  their 
dress  is  not  unlike  that  of  the  Hebrew  priests. 
They  wear  a  white  ephod,  and  a  breastplate, 
"which  is  formed  from  a  conchshell.  The  highest 
council  of  the  nation  does  not  determine  upon 
war,  without  the  advice  and  consent  of  the  high 
priest.  They  believe  he  has  intercourse  with 
God. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  107 

In  the  council  house  of  certain  tribes  is  a  sa- 
cred place,  resembling  the  holy  of  holies  among 
the  Jews.  Here  are  deposited  their  sacred  things. 
It  is  death  for  any  to  enter  this  holy  place,  ex- 
cept the  chief  warrior  and  high  priest.* 

Going  to  war,  or  suffering  any  calamity,  the 
Indians,  like  the  Israelites,  observe  seasons  of 
fasting  and  prayer.  These  seasons  are  sometimes 
continued  seven  or  eight  days. 

In  some  of  the  tribes  is  kept  a  sacred  ark, 
like  that  of  Israel,  in  which  are  preserved  various 
holy  vessels.  None  but  the  chieftain  of  the 
tribe,  who  is  the  priest  of  war,  and  his  servant, 
dare  touch  this  sacred  chest.  Their  enemies 
dare  not  approach  it.f 

As  among  the  tribes  of  Israel,  when  a  per- 
son is  murdered,  the  nearest  relation  is  the  man- 
slayer  ;  but  the  guilty  may  fly  to  the  "  white 
towns,"  which  are  certain  places  of  refuge,  where 
blood  is  never  shed. 

Like  the  young  men  of  Israel,  the  Indians 
give  dowries  for  their  wives.  They  purchase 
them  of  their  fathers,  sometimes  they  labor  for 
them  a  stipulated  time.  J 

The  mourning  and  lamentations  of  the  In- 
dians for  their  dead  resemble  those  of  Israel. 

Their  laws  respecting  females  entirely  resem- 
ble those  of  Israel;  they  are  quite  as  scrupulous 
and  severe. 

Several  of  their  traditions  are  evidently  de- 
rived from  the  history  of  the  Jewish  scriptures. 
That  they  are  the  same  people,  or  that  they  have 
had  intercourse  with  them,  is  an  opinion  of  intel- 
ligent missionaries. 

In  their  discourses,  like  the  Jews,  they  use 
many  parables. 

*  Eartram. 

t  The  ark  in  Otaheite  has  precisely  the  dimensions  of  that  described 
\n  the  Bible. 
%  History  of  America,  ^ 


lOS  MEMOIRS  OF 

Like  the  Israelites,  as  their  circumstances  or 
characters  change,  they  assume  new  names. 
Massasoit  the  fir;8t  ally  of  the  English  in  New 
England,  vv^as  afterwards  called  Wosamaquen. 

Some  suppose  they  have  discovered  traces  of 
the  three  principal  Jewish  festivals  ;  the  passo- 
ver,  the  day  of  atonement,  which  commenced  on 
the  10th  of  the  month,  and  the  feast  of  taber- 
nacles, which  began  five  days  after.  The  Israel- 
ites were  commanded  to  "  make  atonement  for 
their  sins  once  in  a  year,  when  they  were  to  af- 
flict their  souls,  and  make  an  offering  to  the  Lord 
by  fire''  Afterwards,  having  gathered  in  the 
^rst  *'  fruits  of  the  land,  they  kept  a  joy  fid  feast 
unto  the  Lord  for  seven  days."^ 

The  day  of  atonement  was  a  period  of  mortifi- 
cation and  fasting.  Then  they  put  an  end  to  all 
(Ufferejices,  and  become  reconciled  to  one  another. 
In  the  passover  no  leavened  bread  was  to  be  in 
their  houses,  and  the  Jews  to  this  day  search  all 
corners  of  their  houses^  to  see  that  they  have  none. 
They  cleanse  their  houses,  and  furnish  them  with 
n^xv  kitchen  and  table  furniture.  They  burn  their 
leavened  hreadj  and  those  moveables,  which  are 
made  of  metal,  are  put  in  the  fire  and  polished. f 

So  our  Indians,  "  when  their  corn  is  ripe,"  cel- 
ebrate a  great  festival,  which  continues  a  num- 
ber of  days.  Having  cleansed  and  swept  their 
houses  and  streets,  and  furnished  themselves  with 
nexv  clothes  and  nexv  furniture,  they  collect  their 
old  clothes  and  furniture,  their  old  corn  and  pro- 
vision into  a  pile  and  consume  them  with  fire. 
They  then  observe  a  fast  of  three  days,  denying* 
themselves  the  indulgence  of  every  appetite,  and 
extinguishing  all  their  fires.  A  general  amnesty 
is  proclaimed ;  criminals  return  home  ;  crimes  are 

*  I.evit.   23fl.  chap, 
f  Leo  of  Modena. 


BU,  WIIEELOCK.  lOt) 

absolved,  and  an  universal  reconciliation  takes 
place.  The  next  day  after  the  last  is  closed,  the 
high  priest  kindles  a  new  fire  by  rubbing  dry 
wood  together,  from  which  every  dwelhng  is 
fiuppUed  with  the  pure  flame.  The  scene  now 
changes  ;  hilarity  and  pleasure  reign.  New  com 
and  fruits  are  brought  from  their  fields,  and 
three  days  are  spent  in  feasting,  inusic  and  danc- 
ing. After  this,  four  days  are  devoted  to  social 
visits  among  those,  who  had  sacrificed  and  pre- 
pared themselves  for  this  annual  solemnity.* 

From  the  natural  application  of  several  pro- 
phecies, to  both  people,  some  persons  have  sup- 
posed they  were  the  same. 

It  was  said  to  Israel,  "  they  that  are  left  of 
you  shall  pine  away  in  their  iniquity  in  your  ene- 
mies' lands;  the  land  of  your  enemies  shall  eat 
you  upf." 

Do  not  the  Indians  of  America /?f/ze  away  be- 
fore civilized  men  ?  Though  they  were  millions 
when  v/e  were  but  a  handful ;  though  they  were 
sturdy  warriors;  yet  they  continue  to  pine  away, 
and  the  age  may  not  be  remote,  when  nothing 
but  their  bones  may  remain  as  proofs  of  their  ex- 
istence. It  was  also  prophecied  of  Israel,  that 
they  should  in  Egypt  be  offered  for  sale,  and  ^t\v 
or  none  should  buy  them. J  This  was  literally 
verified  in  the  early  wars  of  New  England  with 
the  savages.  The  prisoners  were  frequently  sent 
up  the  Mediterranean  to  be  sold  for  slaves,  yet 
few  were  disposed  to  purchase  them. 

The  resemblance  of  the  Indian  language  to  the 
Hebrew  has  been  thought  to  identify  the  people. 
There  is  not  only  a  remarkable  analc/gy  between 
many  Indian  and  Hebrew  words,  but  the  Indi- 

*  Bartram.        f  Lev.  26.  t  Deut.  26. 


1 10  MEMOIRS  OF 

ans,  like  the  Hebrews,  express  their  pronouns  hy 
prefixes,  and  suffixes.* 

How  far  some  of  these  circumstances  are  com- 
mon to  all  nations,  who  approximate  to  the  same 
state  of  society,  or  how  far  they  may  be  charac- 
teristics of  the  same  people,  I  presume  not  to  of- 
fer an  opinion.  The  subject  is  curious,  and  de- 
serves further  investigation.''^  ^ 

Many  tribes  on  the  Amazon  practise  circum- 
cision. 

Doctor  Wheelock  had  enemies,  w^ho  opposed 
his  measures,  who  contemned  his  plans,  and 
seemed  envious  at  the  splendor  of  his  fame.  By 
them  he  was  severely  reproached,  if  any  thing 
appeared  amiss  in  his  arrangements.  Conscious 
of  his  integrity  and  sincere  desire  to  promote  the 
good  of  mankind ;  strong  in  the  general  appro- 
bation of  the  public,  he  met  opposition  with 
some  impatience.  Those  enemies  sometimes  felt 
the  sev^erity  of  his  rebukes.  To  the  friends  of 
his  benevolent  plans  he  was  ardently  attached  as 
to  the  friends  of  truth  and  goodness.  So  strong- 
were  his  convictions  that  the  cause  in  which  he 
was  engaged  was  the  cause  of  God,  that  he  could 
not  help  considering  all  opposers  as  the  enemies 
of  God  and  religion.  So  confident  was  he  of 
success  that  he  cheerfully  devoted  his  whole  life 
to  the  single  object  of  instructing  the  heathen. 

Possessing  strong  passions  he  was  most  cordial 
in  his  friendship,  and  unwearied  in  assisting  those 
of  whose  piety  he  had  a  favorable  opinion.  Of 
an  open  and  frank  disposition,  he  was  unsuspi- 
cious, and  in  some  instances  was  imposed  on  by 
the  artful.  Though  sometimes  severe  in  his  re- 
sentment toward  those,  who  were  vicious  or  re- 

*  Dr.  Edwards. 

t  Mather,  Megapolensis,  a  Dutch  missionary,  Adair,  Roger  Wil- 
liams, Eliot,  &c.  &c. 

%  Dr.  Parish's  Modern  Geography, 


DH.  WHKELOCK,  in 

prehensible,  he  was  very  affectionate  in  his  recon- 
ciliation on  their  acknowledgment  and  submis- 
sion. 

On  reviewing  the  works  accomplished  by  Dr. 
Wheelock,  it  is  evident  he  must  have  been  re- 
markably active  and  indefatigable  in  his  labors. 
He  had  no  time  for  amusements  or  rest ;  his 
whole  life  was  a  continued  series  of  exertions. 
He  neglected  not  the  minutiee  of  his  concerns ; 
he  had  a  talent  of  dispatching  business  with 
great  facility.  His  correspondence  in  Europe 
and  America  was  extensive;  and  so  at  command 
were  his  thoughts,  that  often  while  composing 
his  letters,  he  at  the  same  time  supported  con- 
versation on  other  subjects.  He  accomplished 
much  because  his  whole  attention  was  invaria- 
bly fixed  on  his  favorite  object.  He  pressed 
every  advantage  within  his  reach  to  one  point, 
the  salvation  of  the  heathen.  A  sentence  ex- 
pressing the  character  of  an  ancient  worthy, 
may  be  applied  to  him  ;  "  Ad  id  unum  natus  esse 
"videreter  quod aggrederetej^  /'  i.e.  he  seemed  to  be 
born  for  what  he  had  undertaken.  According 
to  his  devout  request,  that  he  might  not  outlive 
his  usefulness,  he  died  in  the  full  possession  of 
his  intellectual  powers  and  in  the  midst  cf  his 
usefulness,  apparently  too  soon  for  his  friends, 
too  soon  for  the  church  and  the  world.  Through 
an  active  and  enterprizing  life,  religion  had  beeu 
his  companion  and  his  guide,  and  in  its  solemn, 
closing  scene,  the  consolations  of  religion  weix; 
his  support  and  joy. 


112?  MEMOIRS  OF 


SECTION  X. 

HIS  CHARACTER—FAITH— PRAYER—DOCTRINES— TALENTS    AS 
A  PREACHER,  &c. 

PERHAPS  the  christian  and  philosophic  rea- 
der, pleased  with  distinct  views  of  character, 
may  wish  for  a  more  entire  portrait  of  Doctor 
Wheelock.  The  historic  sketch,  already  given, 
presents  some  features  strongly  marked ;  others 
may  be  more  clearly  drawn.  Doctor  Wheelock 
not  only  believed  in  a  general  and  particular  Pro- 
vidence ;  but  he  felt  and  realized  the  doctrine. 
Consequently  he  viewed  with  interest,  not  only 
the  great  changes  in  the  world,  and  those  evi- 
dently important  to  himself;  but  the  most  inci- 
dental circumstance,  the  most  trivial  event,  he 
habitually  regarded,  as  a  link  in  the  chain  of 
Providence,  a  unit  of  an  eternal  series,  a  part  of 
an  infinite  plan.  Consequently  he  was  often  af- 
fected and  moved  by  those  things,  which  did  not 
excite  the  attention  of  others.  Hence  it  was  ve- 
ry natural  for  him  to  put  constructions  on  Pro- 
vidence very  different  from  many  of  his  connex- 
ions. This  he  often  did  to  their  surprise.  From 
those  things,  which  filled  them  with  fear  and  des- 
pondence, he  sometimes  was  animated  and  roused 
to  new  exertions.  This  might  appear  to  be  enthu- 
siasm and  rashness,  but  was  really  the  result  of 
an  enlarged  mind,  of  extensive  views,  and  mi- 
nute and  familiar  observations  on  the  Providence 
of  God.  It  has  been  said  by  a  celebrated  wri- 
ter, ^'  that  every  genius  is  a  prophet ;"  with  niore 
propriety  may  it  be  said,  that  every  careful  ob- 
server of  Providence  is  a  prophet.  "  The  secret 
of  the  Lord  is  with  them  that  fear  him."  From 
constant  observation  on  Providence,  they  better 
understand  its  lauguage,  and  more  safely  argue 


DR.  WHEELOCK,  1 1  3 

from  the  past  to  the  future.  By  constant  study 
they  more  readily  comprehend  its  real  import. 
The  Doctor  considered  the  word,  and  not  the 
Providence  of  God,  as  the  law  of  duty  ;  yet  when 
God  gave  him  success,  furnished  him  with  the 
means,  and  opened  a  door  for  his  exertions,  he 
considered  this  a  call  to  proceed,  and  often  vari- 
ed his  plans,  as  Providence  seemed  to  invite  or 
oppose  his  labors. 

Doctor  Wheelock  was  a  man  of  faith.     Like 
Abram   he  believed  God.     Hence  such  phrases 
as  these  are  frequent  in  his  letters  ;  '^  God  gives 
me  all  I  ask  for ;  he  is  a  prayer  hearing  God* 
If  I  were  not  stupid  and  sluggish  and  unbeliev- 
ing, I  doubt  not  I  should  have  much  more,  and 
all  I  need  ;  for  he  hath  said,   "  open  thy  mouth 
wide  and  I  will  fill  it."     I  find  this  to  be  so,  and 
give  into  it.     I  think  Vv/ith  my  v/hole  heart  that 
I  am  not  straightened  in  him.     I  can  bear  wit- 
ness to  that  precious- word  of  Christ :  "  Ye  shall 
ask  what   ye   will  in  my  name  and  it  shall  be 
done."     I  think  my  affairs  are  under  the  smiles 
of  heaven,  and  they  will  be  so,  if  we  keep  up  a 
good  account  with  God."     Such  was  the  faith 
of  this   good  man.     He  remembered  that  God 
had  said,  "  Command  ye  me."     He  gave  cuedit 
to  this  declaration  ;  he  availed  himself  of  its  im- 
mense advantages.      Therefore,   like   Jacob  he 
was  ready  to  say  to  God,  '•  I  will  not  let  thee 
go  unless  thou  bless  me."     He  persevered  in  his 
addresses,  till  he  obtained  the  object  of  his  de- 
sire.    He  seemed  at  times  to  drnw  upon  Provi- 
dence for  his  expences  in  bringing  the  Indians 
to  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.     So  strong  was 
his  faith   in  God,  that  he  would  give  success  to 
his   useful  plans,  that  sometimes  it  seemed  to 
others  like  fanaticism. 


15 


114  MEMOIRS  OF 

Such  faith  naturally  produced  a  spirit  of  pray- 
er. Doctor  Wlieelock  was  a  man  of  prayer. 
In  social  prayer  he  enjoyed  remarkable  fervor 
and  freedom  in  his  addresses.  Beside  his  usual 
and  daily  devotions,  he  often  set  apart  particu- 
lar days  and  seasons  for  prayer.  When  going  a 
journey,  whatever  was  the  hour  of  his  departure, 
he  always  called  his  family  and  students  toge- 
ther to  supplicate  the  blessing  of  God  on  his  un- 
dertaking. When  two  of  his  missionaries  were 
setting  out  to  preach  the  gospel  to  the  Indians 
beyond  the  Ohio,  he  with  solemnity  and  affec- 
tion proposed  to  them  and  his  pupils  to  maintain 
a  concert  of  prayer,  "  that  beside  daily  remem- 
brance of  one  another,  at  the  throne  of  grace, 
they  might  spend  special  seasons,  Saturday  and 
sabbath  evenings,  between  the  hours  of  six  and 
seven  o'clock  in  prayer  to  God  for  his  protection, 
presence  and  blessing  upon  them  and  on  all  mis- 
sionaries, gone  to  proclaim  salvation  to  the  hea- 
then." So  great  was  his  influence  or  so  serious- 
ly disposed  were  his  pupils,  that  every  member 
of  the  school  and  college  appeared  to  unite  cor- 
dially in  this  solemn  agreement.  A  vein  of  plea- 
santry  enlivened  his  conversation,  and  so  candid, 
charitable  and  accommodating  was  his  temper, 
that  he  was  sometimes  accused  of  flattery  ;  but 
this  is  no  uncommon  tax  of  politeness. 

'  Though  of  a  cheerful  and  pleasant  disposi- 
tion, such  w^ere  the  incessant  and  weighty  con- 
cerns, which  pressed  on  the  mind  of  Dr.  Wliee- 
lock, that  they  frequently  extorted  an  involun- 
tary groan.  Aluch  of  his  time  was  employed  in 
profound  meditation  and  prayer.  In  sunmier 
evenings,  after  the  family  had  retired  to  rest,  his 
custom  was  to  walk  one  or  two  hours  on  the 
green  before  his  house  for  serious  meditation. 
Notwithstamliug    this    contemplative    turn   of 


DR.  \\1[IEEL0CK.  115 

mind,  and  frequent  £ittacks  of  hypockonchia,  he 
delighted  his  friends  by  the  sweetness  of  his  tem- 
per and  the  urbanity  of  his  deportment.  His 
conspicuous  situation  attracted  much  respecta- 
ble company,  whom  he  entertained  in  the  most 
agreeable  and  hospitable  manner.  An  extensive 
acquaintance  with  mankind,  had  led  him  to  a 
deep  knowledge  of  human  nature.  Delicate 
was  his  sense  of  decorum  and  propriety;  he  al- 
ways supported  the  dignity  of  his  character  as  a 
christian  and  a  minister  of  the  gospel.  So  use- 
ful were  his  labors,  so  disinterested  his  motives-, 
so  persuasive  his  address,  so  winning  his  manners, 
that  generally  when  he  personally  a|  plied  to 
individuals,  he  obtained  all  that  he  asked  for  the 
support  of  his  expensive  establishments. 

Though  Dr.  VVheelock  exerted  all  his  prudence 
and  profound  discernment  in  arranging  his  plans, 
he  reHed  entirely  nn  the  providence  of  God  to 
give  them  success.  Few  men  hav^e  been  more 
conscious  of  their  absolute  dependance.  He  was 
rarely  disappointed.  He  trusted  in  God  and  was 
not  confounded.  Frequently  in  his  printed  nar- 
ratives of  the  school,  he  expresses  his  pious  and 
grateful  sense  of  the  divine  agency  in  his  suc- 
cess. 

Neither  did  his  sense  of  dependance  weaken 
his  exertions,  nor  obstruct  his  perseverance.  No- 
thing but  the  goodness  of  his  heart  could  exceed 
his  perseverance  to  obtain  his  object.  Once  sa- 
tisfied concerning  his  duty,  nothing  could  dis- 
courage or  obstruct  his  exertions.  He  never 
gave  up  his  design  till  he  found  it  impractica- 
ble; the  lukewarmness  of  friends  did  not  cool 
his  ardor ;  the  desertion  of  associates  could  not 
appal  his  heart ;  and  to  the  turbulence  of  oppo- 
sition he  calmly  bid  defiance. 


11  ff  MEMOIRS  OF 

111  the  articles  of  his  faith,  Doctor  Whee- 
lock  agreed  with  the  puritans,  who  were  the  fa^ 
thers  of  New  England.  He  belonged  to  the 
school  of  Calvin.  The  doctrine  of  divine  sover- 
eignty ;  of  human  depravity ;  the  moral  impotence 
of  the  sinner  ;  the  necessity  of  regeneration  ;  the 
divinity  of  Jesus  Christ;  the  infinite  merit  and 
efficacy  of  the  atonement ;  the  doctrine  of  elec- 
tion ;  special  grace  in  the  conversion  of  a  sin- 
ner ;  the  innnediate  duty  of  repentance  and 
faith  ;  the  necessit}^  of  holiness  as  evidence  of 
justification,  were  the  favorite  themes  of  this 
good  man. 

Like  the  light  of  the  sun,  the  benevolence  of 
Dr.  Wheelock  shines  in  his  active  and  useful  ser- 
vices. His  whole  life  demonstrates  the  goodness 
of  his  heart.  No  higher  evidence  of  a  benevolent 
mind  can  be  given,  than  the  arduous  labors  he 
performed  ;  the  many  privations,  which  he  en^ 
dured ;  the  immense  sacrifices  he  made ;  the 
burdensome  and  complicated  cares,  which  he  vo- 
luntarily assumed.  Love  to  God  and  the  souls 
of  men,  was  undoubtedly  the  animating  motive 
of  his  active  life.  The  college  and  school  were 
founded  to  promote  the  glory  of  the  Jledeemer 
in  the  salvation  of  men  ;  especially  the  unletter- 
ed and  perishing  Indians  of  North  America.  The 
supplies  from  Great  Britain  unexpectedly  failing; 
the  war  considerably  lessening  the  income  from 
the  school  lands,  and  producing  other  embarrass- 
ments, the  school  became  involved  in  debt.  Dr. 
Wheelock  advanced  his  own  property  to  the  a- 
mount  of  three  thousand  three  hundred  and  thir- 
ty three  dollars.  This,  in  his  last  will,  he  gav^e 
to  the  institution,  reserving  only  the  annual  pay- 
ment of  one  hundred  and  sixty  six  dollars  to  his 
eldest  son,  who  is  an  invalid,  during  his  natural 
life.  Other  valuable  legacies  he  left  to  the  school. 


BR.  WHEELOCK.  117 

To  gain  a  just  idea  of  his  benevolent  spirit, 
we  must  have  witnessed  his  incessant  labors,  his 
painful  watchings,  his  oppressive  cares,  his  daily 
solicitude  for  the  miserable  pagans  on  our  bor- 
ders. The  weary  journe^^s,  which  he  performed; 
his  valuable  patrimon}',  devoted  to  the  cause  of 
charity,  evince  the  goodness  of  his  heart.  The 
forests  of  New  Hampshire,  under  whose  shade 
he  travelled  from  river  to  river,  across  plains  and 
mountains,  to  find  a  place  for  the  infant  school 
of  the  prophets ;  the  verdant  boughs,  which  shel- 
tered him  from  the  cold,  the  winds  and  storms 
of  a  dismal  winter  ;  the  lofty  groves  v/hich  echo- 
ed his  prayers  and  praises,  these  proclaim  the 
glowing  benevolence  of  Dr.  Wheelock. 

The  government  of  Dr.  Wheelock  was  parent- 
al. No  father  watches  over  his  rising  offspring 
with  more  tenderness,  than  he  manifested  to  the 
school  and  college.  Neither  unfeeling  authori- 
ty, nor  mercenary  fines,  ever  alienated  the  affec- 
tions, or  hardened  the  hearts  of  his  pupils.  His 
temper  and  manners  were  mild  and  pleasant,  and 
those  under  his  care  obeyed  from  affection  and 
respect.  But  when  the  Indian  boys  or  others, 
were  guilty  of  any  notorious  fault,  to  give  weight 
to  discipline,  he  usually  visited  the  school  himi- 
self,  and  witnessed  the  punishment  inflicted  by 
the  preceptor.  At  such  times,  though  they  sel- 
dom happened,  he  gave  the  offender  the  m.ost  se- 
rious and  affectionate  admonition.  This  treat- 
ment generally  produced  the  desired  effect.  The 
children  of  the  Indians  are  left  by  their  parents 
to  the  impulse  of  untutored  nature,  and  came  to 
the  school  without  an  idea  of  subordination.  In 
some  instances  they  discovered  a  fer<)cious  and 
cruel  disposition,  particularly  in  torturing  ani- 
mals. The  Dr.  employed  patience,  and  kindness, 
and  resolution,   to  civilize  those   httle  savages, 


IIS  MEMOIRS  OF    ■ 

and  render  them  obedient  to  the  laws  of  the 
school.  Yet  when  circumstances  demanded  it 
he  appeared  in  majesty,  and  awed  the  offender 
into  obedience. 

On  such  occasions,  the  description  of  dicipline, 
represented  as  an  ancient  resident  in  the  univer- 
sities of  England,  might  be  applied  to  him : 

**  His  gentle  eye, 
"  Grew  stern,  and  darted  a  seA'ere  rebuke  ; 
*'  His  frown  was  full  of  terror,  an.i  his  voice, 
*'  Sliook  the  delinquent  with  such  fits  of  awe, 
*'  As  left  him  not,  till  penitence  had  won 
*'  Lost  favor  back  again  and  closed  the  breach." 

COWPER. 

Faithfulness,  as  a  religious  instructor,  was  a 
distinguished  trait  in  the  character  of  Doctor 
"Wheelock.  Religion  entered  into  all  his  calcu- 
lations, gave  direction  to  all  his  plans,  and  seem- 
ed to  dictate  the  most  minute  arrangement.  He 
was  the  same  good  man  in  the  parlor,  the  col- 
lege, and  the  pulpit.  In  conversation  he  had  a 
remarkable  talent  of  introducing  religious  sub- 
jects with  ease  and  pleasantness.  His  manner 
had  nothing  of  ostentation  or  formality  ;  no- 
thing which  offended  the  careless  or  gay.  He 
possessed  a  patriarchal  hospitality,  and  the  puri- 
ty of  his  conversation,  open  and  honest  as  the 
day,  edified  his  friends,  and  gave  dignity  to  his 
mild  and  endearing  manners. 

Anxiously  concerned  for  the  salvation  of  his 
children,  his  pupils  and  servants,  he  occasionly 
took  them  individually  into  his  study,  to  enquire, 
with  parental  tenderness,  into  their  spiritual  state. 
With  great  plainness  he  gave  them  such  advice 
and  exhortations,  as  their  respective  cases  ren- 
dered proper.  Often  God  was  pleased  to  bless 
these  pious  labors,  and  many  of  his  pupils  had 
cause  to  bless  God  for  these  seasons  of  religious 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  1 19 

conference.  In  the  great  concerns  of  their  sal- 
vation, his  children  and  puj3ils  frequently  appli- 
ed to  him  for  instruction.  During  his  presiden- 
cy, as  well  as  since,  the  university  was  a  school 
of  religion  and  human  science. 

As  a  minister  of  the  gospel  Dr.  Wheelock  was 
endowed  with  shining  gifts.  His  sermons  were 
animated,  affectionate  and  persuasive.  His  tal- 
ents as  a  preacher  gave  lustre  to  his  name.  His 
frequent  journeys  through  New  EngMnd ;  his 
incessant  labors  in  the  great  revival,  near  the 
middle  of  the  last  century,  made  him  extensive- 
ly known  and  beloved.  Multitudes  flocked  to 
hear  him  ;  he  was  a  star  of  the  first  order  in  the 
constellation  of  preachers,  which  in  that  day 
shone  with  such  distinguished  splendor.  For  a 
time  he  was  like  an  angel  flying  through  the 
heavens  with  the  everlasting  gospel.  Yet  so 
humble  was  his  spirit,  so  exquisite  his  sensibility, 
that  he  seldom  entered  the  pulpit  without  fear; 
often  his  frame  trembled.  This  however  gene- 
rally subsided  as  he  entered  upon  the  pubhc  ser- 
vices. 

Though  a  man  of  profound  science,  and  a  fine 
classic  scholar,  his  preaching  was  in  a  stile  easy 
and  familiar.  He  was  a  tree  whose  bending 
branches  offered  its  fruit  to  the  feeblest  child. 
To  win  the  attention,  and  rouse  the  consciences 
of  his  hearers,  he  had  a  remarkable  talent.  With- 
out factitious  ornament,  his  language  was  per- 
spicuous and  forcible.  His  aim  was  to  inform 
the  understanding,  before  he  attempted  to  move 
the  passions.  Usually  he  wrote  only  short  notes, 
and  sometimes  his  preaching  was  extemporane- 
ous. Possessing  a  lively  imagination,  a  vv^arni 
heart,  and  a  deep  concern  for  im mortal  souls,  the 
impetuosity  of  his  eloquence,  often  presented 
common  and  well  known  truths,  with  all  the  ir- 


120  MEMOIRS  OP 

resistable  charms  of  novelty.  When  he  proclaim-^ 
ed  the  curses  of  the  law  ;  when  he  warned  sin- 
ners of  the  approaching  wrath  of  God,  they  seem- 
ed to  stand  on  the  base  of  Sinai;  the  pulpit  was 
clothed  in  thunder  ;  the  coruscations  of  truth 
were  as  forked  lightning,  and  with  one  voice 
they  cried,  "  what  shall  we  do  to  be  saved  ?" 
When  he  addressed  the  humble  saint,  his  voice 
was  that  of  the  angels,  who  welcome  the  spirits 
of  the  just  to  mansions  not  made  with  hands. 
The  trembling  penitent  looked  to  the  cross,  to 
behold  the  Lamb  of  God ;  he  was  cheered  with 
hope  ;  he  was  filled  with  joy  at  his  approaching 
glory. 

As  might  be  expected  from  his  impassioned 
address  and  holy  pathos,  he  was  a  remarkably 
successful  preacher.  Many  aged  christians  in 
every  part  of  New  England  consider  him  as  their 
spiritual  father.  Whole  churches  have  been  ga- 
thered, apparently  the  fruit  of  his  ministry.  At 
one  period  he  was  known  to  say,  that  he  had  cha- 
rity to  address  the  body  of  his  own  people  as 
real  christians. 

Undoubtedly  there  is  a  cause  why  such  suc- 
cess is  not  more  common.  The  persuasive  and 
irresistable  power  of  eloquence,  has  been  handed 
down  to  us  from  the  highest  antiquity.  From 
the  time  of  Aaron,  the  high  priest  of  Israel;  from 
Nestor  and  Ulysses,  mihtary  commanders  of 
Greece,  numerous  public  speeches,  in  diffierent 
ages  and  countries,  have  displayed  the  com- 
manding force  of  oratory.  The  thunder  of  De- 
mosthenes overawed  the  Athenian  multitude,  and 
the  pathos  of  Tully  extorted  a  favorable  sentence 
from  the  mighty  C?esar.  Nor  has  the  christian 
church  been  destitute  of  sacred  orators,  who  have 
sometimes  had  more  influence  in  society  than 
kings  or  conquerors ;  who  have  given  a  new  mo- 


DR.  WIIEELOCK.  121 

ral  complexion  to  the  people  they  addressed. 
The  opinions,  passions,  and  actions  of  men  have 
been  swayed  as  a  field  of  wheat  before  the  north- 
ern blast.  But  these  effects  have  not  been  pro- 
duced by  modern  apathy,  by  cold  sermons,  read 
in  a  cold  manner.  Metaphysical  arguments  do 
not  move  the  souls  of  men.  Dry  syllogisms  will 
not  break  the  heart,  nor  awaken  the  conscience. 
Florid  declamations  respecting  the  charms  of  vir- 
tue, or  the  ugliness  of  vice,  will  never  allure  de- 
praved mortals  into  the  paths  of  salvation  ;  will 
never  appal  the  heart  with  the  terrors  of  divine 
Avrath,  nor  restrain  the  impetuosity  of  bumau 
passions.  Though  the  effects  were  deleterious, 
we  may  learn  the  amazing  power  of  eloquence 
from  Peter  the  Hermit.  He  had  visited  the  holy 
land,  the  city  of  Jerusalem,  and  the  tomb  of  his 
Saviour.  He  had  witnessed  the  sufferings  of 
christians  in  that  country.  With  his  heart  pene- 
trated and  overwhelmed  with  the  subject,  he  re- 
turned to  Europe.  Traversing  the  nations  of 
Christendom,  he  exhorted  them  to  deliver  their 
brethren  from  i\Iahometan  oppression.  Expres- 
sive of  his  deep  concern,  and  readiness  to  endure 
any  hardships  for  the  relief  of  the  suffering 
christians,  his  head  was  bare,  his  feet  were  na- 
ked, and  his  meagre  body  WTapped  in  a  coarse 
garment.  Thousands  thronged  aroiuid  him  ;  he 
described  the  woes  of  the  saints  in  Jerusalem  and 
Europe  was  roused.  He  mentioned  the  profa- 
nation of  their  Saviour's  tomb,  and  they  were 
melted  into  tears.  He  conjured  them  to  prove 
themselves  the  soldiers  of  Jesus  Christ,  and  they 
enlisted  under  the  banner  of  the  cioss  ;  he  sigh- 
ed, and  millions  marched  to  the  holy  land.  The 
rustic  enthusiast  inspired  the  passions,  whicli 
he  felt.  It  is  not  half  a  century  since  AVhite- 
field  blazed  through  the  British  empire.  Though 
16 


122  MEMOIRS  OF 

he  had  no  remarkable  charms  of  person  or  voice, 
yet  he  was  an  orator,  and  like  a  new  star  in  the 
heavens  he  attracted  every  eye ;  all  gazed  as  if 
a  comet  were  sailing  through  the  heavens. 
Though  he  gave  no  remarkably  luminous  or  pro- 
found views  of  religious  subjects,  yet  such  was 
the  enchantment  of  his  eloquence,  that  every  ear 
listened,  as  if  an  angel  spoke.  He  was  in  earn- 
est, his  heart  glowed  with  christian  benevolence, 
and  he  persuaded  men  to  be  reconciled  to  God. 

Dr.  Wheelock  possessed  the  genuine  spirit  of 
primitive  Christianity.  He  was  fired  with  apos- 
tolic zeal  for  the  glory  of  God  and  the  salvation 
of  men.  A  double  portion  of  that  spirit  was 
given  to  him,  which  now  appears  so  glorious  a- 
mong  the  friends  of  Christ  in  America,  Great 
Britain,  Denmark,  and  most  of  the  nations  in  Eu- 
rope, in  extending  the  knowledge  of  salvation 
to  every  quarter  of  the  globe.  He,  in  the  ob- 
scurity of  a  country  village,  began  the  work 
alone.  Now  the  wealth  and  influence  of  nume- 
rous individuals  and  powerful  societies  are  united. 
Then  the  christian  nations  were  in  a  state  of 
slun^ber,  as  to  the  perishing  heathen;  now  the 
protestant  countries  seem  animated  with  a  kind- 
red zeal  to  evangelize  the  pagan  world. 

Hov/  would  the  good  Doctor,  like  aged  Simon, 
with  the  infant  Redeemer  in  his  arms,  have  re- 
joiced to  see  our  day,  ^vhen  the  tongue  of  the 
dumb  sings  for  joy,  and  the  wilderness  blossoms 
as  the  rose.  Perhaps  God  designed  him  as  the 
morning  star,  to  be  the  harbinger  of  this  res- 
plendent light. 

Yet  with  these  shining  talents,  tliese  splendid 
services,  and  the  blaze  of  popularity,  which  fol- 
lowed him  in  every  walk  of  Hfc,  Dr.  Wheelock 
was  one  of  the  most  humble  men  in  the  world. 


DR.  WHEELOCK,  123 

Though  like  St.  Paul,  he  was  in  journeys  oft, 
and  in  labors  abundant,  for  which  he  accepted 
no  worl^lly  reward  ;  though  in  his  zeal  to  extend 
the  fitf]4  of  his  usefulness,  he  often  went  beyond 
the  monies  he  had  received,  in  his  expenditures, 
for  which  his  own  estate  was  always  pledged  ; 
though  finally  in  his  last  will,  he  bequeathed  to 
the  school  and  college  those  sums,  which  at 
that  time,  would  have  been  considered  an  ample 
fortune  in  this  country  ;  yet  he  makes  no  boast; 
he  claims  no  tax  of  admiration  ;  he  only  says, 
**  I  have  professed  to  have  no  view  to  making  an 
estate  by  this  affair.  What  the  singleness  and 
uprightness  of  my  heart  has  been  before  God,  he 
knows,  and  also  how  greatly  I  stand  in  need  of 
his  pardon."  His  zeal  was  not,  however,  the  un- 
governed  fire  of  the  enthusiast,  nor  was  his  bold- 
ness of  enterprize  tinged  with  the  rashness  of  a 
daring  adventurer.  In  the  warmest  fervor  of 
his  zeal,  and  the  most  independent  and  respon- 
sible actions  of  his  life,  his  thoughts  were  col- 
lected, his  arrangements  exact,  and  he  declares 
he  never  ventured  in  expences  beyond  what  his 
own  fortune  would  have  supplied.  Though  in 
his  benevolent  projects,  he  often  put  to  hazard 
his  own  estate,  he  never  endangered  his  credi- 
tors. He  never  suffered  his  charity  to  interfere 
with  the  most  strict  integrity.  The  following 
extract  from  one  of  his  yearly  narratives  will 
show  how  pious  and  disinterested  was  the  soul 
of  this  good  man.  "  When  I  think  of  the  great 
weight  of  present  expence,  for  supporting  six- 
teen or  seventeen  Indian  boys,  which  have  been 
my  number  the  last  year,  and  as  many  English 
youth  on  charity,  and  eight  in  the  wilderness, 
who  depend  for  their  support  wholly  from  this 
quarter,  which  has  been  the  case  a  considerable 
part  of  the  year;  also  such  a  number  of  la- 


124  MEMOIRS  OF 

borers,  and  the  necessity  of  building  a  house  for 
myself,  with  the  expence  of  three,  and  sometimes 
four  tutors,  I  have  sometimes  found  fain'^^ess  of 
heart ;  but  when   I   consider  I  have   n<^  been 
seeking  myself  in  one  step  which  I  have  taken  ; 
nor  have  1  taken  one   step  without  deliberation 
and  asking  counsel,  and  that,  if  further  resources 
from  that  fulness  on  which  alone  I  have  depend- 
ed from  the  first,  should  be  withheld  ;  yet  that 
which  has  been   laid  out  will  be  by  no  means 
lost  to  this  school,  nor  be  exposed  to  reproach, 
as  having  been  imprudently  expended.     I  have 
always  made  it  my  practice  not  to  suffer  my  ex- 
pences  to  exceed  what  my  own  private  interest 
"will  pay  :  in  case  I  should  be   brought   to   that 
necessity,  justice  av  ill  be  done  to  my  creditors. 
But  the  consideration,   which  above  all  others, 
has  been  and  is  my  sovereign  support,  is  that  it 
is  the  cause  of  God.     God  most  certainly  has 
and  does  own  it  as  his  work.     In   him,  and  in 
him  alone,  do  I  hope  to  perfect  his  own  plan  for 
his  own  glory.     Whatever  his  plan  may  be,  of 
"which  we  see  but  the  beginning,  he  will  accom- 
plish it,  let  the  devices,  counsels,  and  machina- 
tions of  men  or  devils  be  what  they  will.     Un- 
der these  apprehensions  I  cannot  be  anxious  res- 
pecting the  issue.      God  has  done  great  things 
for  this  institution,  and  I  may  not  go  back  ;  but 
wait  upon  him,  and  hope  in  him  to  maintain,  sup- 
port, and  defend  it,  and  perform  what  is  want- 
ing for  it  in  his  own  way  and  time.     Certainly 
his  hand  has  been  conspicuous  in  its  beginning, 
rise,  and  progress,  through  so  many  dark  scenes. 
When  in  its  infancy,  and  an  object  of  contempt, 
it  was  the  hand  of  God,  which  opened  and  dis- 
posed the  hearts  of  so  many  on  both  sides  of  the 
water,  to  such  pious  and  charitable  liberalities 
for  its  support.     It  was  the  finger  of  God  that 


DR.  WIIEELOCK.  125 

pointed  out  such  a  wise,  godly,  and  honorable 
patronage  for  it  in  Europe.  What  but  a  divine 
influence  should  move  my  worthy  patrons,  witli 
so  much  cheerfulness,  to  accept  that  important 
trust  in  London,  and  to  prosecute  tlie  design 
with  so  much  steadiness  and  disinterested  zeal. 
It  was  the  hand  of  God,  which  advanced  our 
great  friend  and  patron,  the  Right  Honorable 
William,  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  to  the  American, 
administration,  while  he  was  in  such  connexion 
with  this  seminary.  It  was  the  hand  of  God 
which  opened  the  heart  of  our  gracious  Sove- 
reign to  show  his  princely  munificence  in  his 
royal  bounty,  and  more  especially  in  ratifying  a 
charter,  endowing  the  seminary  with  all  the 
powers,  immunities  and  privileges  of  any  univer- 
sity in  his  kingdom,  by  which  its  interests  are 
most  effectually  secured,  and  those  who  are  gradu- 
ated here  have  not  an  empty  title,  but  by  law  a 
claim  to  all  those  rights  and  privileges,  enjoyed 
by  graduates  in  any  university  of  Great  Britain, 
Was  it  not  the  hand  of  a  gracious  God  that  ad- 
vanced so  important  and  beneficial  a  friend  as 
his  Excellency  Governor  Wentworth  to  the 
chair  of  this  province,  and  disposed  him  as  a 
nursing  father  to  patronize  this  infant  college 
in  the  wilderness  ?  Certainly  the  gracious  hand 
of  God  has  been  very  evident  to  all  acquainted 
with  that  regularity  and  good  order,  wliich  have 
uninterruptedly  subsisted  here,  and  that  without 
any  form  of  government  than  parental. 

These  things  have  not  resulted  merely  from 
the  wisdom,  prudence  or  wise  politics  of  the  age; 
but  God  has  evidently  designed  to  hide  pride 
from  man,  and  make  the  excellency  of  his  pow- 
er and  grace  conspicucas,  by  making  choice  of 
an  instrument  every  way  unequal  to  the  ardu- 
ous work,  .   Surely   this   locks  like  his  plan,  to 


125  MEMOIRS  OF 

make  the  excellency  of  his  own  perfections  ap* 
pear,  and  secure  all  the  glory  to  himself." 

The  pious  mind,  who  contemplates  the  holy 
spirit  of  Dr.  Wheelock,  and  observes  his  humili- 
ty, his  gratitude  for  past  blessings,  and  his  un- 
wavering hope  of  future  interpositions  of  Provi- 
dence in  favor  of  the  seminary,  which  he  had 
founded,  will  not  be  surprised  at  its  subsequent 
prosperity,  the  showers  of  divine  influence,  which 
have  fallen  upon  it,  and  the  many  tokens  of  di*- 
vine  favor,  it  has  enjoyed.  The  temple  reared 
with  such  a  heavenly  spirit  must  be  a  dwellings 
place  of  the  Most  High. 

The  rock  smitten  by  the  hand  of  faith  watered 
the  camp,  and  sustained  the  church  of  God  in 
her  travels  through  the  wilderness. 

So  this  seminary,  whose  foundations  were  laid 
with  so  many  prayers  and  sacrifices  of  christian 
faith,  has  diffused  the  light  of  science,  and  sup- 
ported civil  order,  morality,  and  religion  in  very 
extensive  regions  of  infant  settlements,  in  our 
country.  Knowledge  and  piety  prevail  where 
ignorance  and  irreligion  must  have  covered  the 
people  with  gross  darkness. 

In  this  imperfect  portrait  we  ought  to  mark  dis- 
tinctly the  winning  address  and  endearing  man- 
ners of  Dr.  Wheelock.  This  feature  of  character 
is  more  essential  to  a  successful  gospel  minister 
than  is  generally  supposed.  The  most  salutary 
advice,  the  most  precious  doctrines,  the  most  ho- 
ly examples,  are  often  lost,  and  more  than  lost, 
by  the  unpleasant  manners  of  the  christian  pas- 
tor. He  ought  to  study  the  modes  of  access  to 
the  human  heart,  as  carefully  as  he  studies  his 
sermon  or  his  bible.  Careless,  rustic,  indeco- 
rous, or  indelicate  manners,  may  destroy  the  best 
effects  of  the  most  evangelical  labors.  Endear- 
ing manners,  united  with  other  essential  qualifi- 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  127 

cations,  ensure  a  minister  the  hearts  of  his  peo- 
ple ;  the  longer  he  lives  with  them,  the  more 
cordial  and  confidential  is  their  union ;  every 
year  elevates  their  esteem  and  increases  their  af- 
fection ;  as  he  advances  in  life,  instead  of  being 
weary  of  his  services,  the  more  indissoluble  is 
their  relation ;  many  waters  cannot  quench  their 
love. 

The  friends  of  Dr.  Wheelock  were  bound  to 
him  as  with  bands  of  iron.  He  used  to  say,  that 
he  abhorred  that  religion,  which  was  not  marked 
with  good  manners.  His  influence  among  his 
people  at  Lebanon  was  remarkable.  He  taught 
them  not  only  the  essential  doctrines  of  grace, 
and  the  necessary  duties  of  a  christian  lite,  but 
he  inculcated  the  importance  of  civility,  a  ca- 
tholic temper,  and  amiable  deportment.  It  was 
not  long  after  his  ordination,  that  a  great  revival 
of  religion  took  place  through  the  land.  White- 
field,  Tenant,  and  many  others  were  employed  by 
Providence,  as  the  instruments  of  giving  a  migh- 
ty impulse  to  the  public  mind.  An  irresistible, 
surprizing  influence  accompanied  their  labors. 
Fashionable  follies  were  suspended  ;  long  estab- 
lished habits  were  broken  ;  customary  immorali- 
ties vanished  from  society  ;  vice  was  appalled  in 
her  mad  career.  Familv  religion,  public  wor- 
ship,  attendance  on  the  sacraments,  all  the  vir- 
tues of  a  christian  life,  were  more  generally,  and 
Kiore  devoutly  observed.  At  the  close  of  this 
glorious  day,  when  spiritual  slumbers  began  to 
steal  upon  the  church,  the  enemy  sowed  tares. 
A  race  of  Separatists,  of  Anabaptists,  and  other 
sectaries,  darkened  tlie  heavens  with  the  smoke 
of  their  unhallowed  fires.  The  foundations  of 
religious  society  were  shaken.  A  spiritual  tor- 
nado tore  up  the  barren  trees  in  tlie  garden  of 
the  Lord ;.  the  most  precious  fruit  was  bruised^ 


128  MEMOIRS  OF 

and  the  enclosures  in  many  places  were  thrown 
down;  the  laborers  trembled  for  their  own  safety. 
They  were  called  '^  hirelings,  wolves  in  sheeps* 
clothing,  formal  legalists,  destitute  of  the  pow- 
er of  godliness,  dumb  dogs  that  could  not  bark.'* 
In  this  dismal  tempest  Dr.  Wheelock  stood  se- 
cure, like  Moses  on  Sinai's  fiery  summit.  He 
had  not  only  been  a  useful  preacher  abroad,  but 
remarkably  successful  at  home  among  his  own 
people.  He  had  so  taken  heed  to  himself  and 
his  doctrine,  as  not  only  to  save  himself,  but 
those  who  heard  him.  The  aged  and  the  young, 
parents  and  children,  in  general  looked  up  to  him 
as  their  spiritual  father,  and  faithful  guide. 
While  in  most  of  the  towns  of  New  England,  se- 
parations took  place,  and  many  worthy  clergy- 
men endured  trials  of  cruel  mockings,  all  was 
harmony  among  the  people  of  Dr.  Wheelock. 
While  in  many  other  places  the  people  neglect- 
ed and  despised  their  minister,  his  people  were 
kind,  loved  and  revered  him.  While  in  many 
places  the  people  were  heady,  censorious,  and 
puffed  up  with  their  own  attainments ;  his  were 
teachable,  meek,  and  candid.  While  others  sep- 
arated from  their  own  minister,  or  idolized  a  few 
of  their  own  sort,  disdaining  all  others,  as  uncon- 
verted ;  his  retained  a  spirit  of  unity,  and  were 
ready  to  hear  all  the  ministers  of  Christ,  without 
any  insidious  distinctions.  Happy  is  the  min- 
ister, ordained  by  providence,  to  implant  in  the 
minds  of  his  peo})le  such  an  amiable  temper, 
.such  a  heavenly  spirit.  He  shall  shine  a  star  of 
glory  in  the  kingdom  of  God  forever  and  ever. 

It  scarcely  needs  to  be  added,  that  Dr.  Whee- 
lock was  a  man  of  uncommon  industry.  Ever 
active,  ever  exerting  himself,  he  had  no  time  for 
self  indtdgenee,  or  that  torpid  indolence,  too 
common  in  the  world.     It   was  his  meat  and 


DR.  V/HEELOCK. 


i^ 


drink  to  do  the  will  of  his  heavenly  Father,  and 
what  he  did  he  accomplished  with  all  his  force. 

Were  all  youth  trained  to  similar  habits  of  di- 
ligence, essential  advantage  to  them  and  a  con- 
spicuous change  in  society  would  be  the  result. 
Were  all  the  shreds  and  fragments  of  time,  the 
hours  and  minutes,  which  are  daily  thrown  away 
in  idleness  or  useless  chat,  employed  in  reading, 
or  some  serious  exercise  of  the  mind,  the  im- 
provement would  surpass  calculation.  Probably 
a  saving  of  years  might  be  made  in  the  life  of  al- 
most every  man.  In  this  way  most  people  might 
study  history,  geography,  and  other  liberal 
sciences.  They  might  become  learned  in  the 
things  of  God.  Of  all  men  living,  ministers  of 
the  gospel  have  the  most  miserable  apology  for 
idleness,  or  those  sauntering,  lifeless  movements, 
which  often  pass  for  labor,  but  are  really  idleness 
in  disguise,  a  spirit  of  slumber,  assuming  the 
garb  of  weary  exertion. 

Have  ye  not,  oh  ye  lights  of  Israel,  have  ye 
Hot  many  volumes,  which  may  be  reviewed  with 
advantage  ?  Are  there  not  various  portions  of 
the  sacred  writings,  which  may  yet  be  more  cri- 
tically examined,  with  vast  profit  to  yourselves 
and  your  people  ?  Are  there  not  other  studies, 
which  have  connexion  with  religion,  that  enlarge 
the  mind,  and  improve  the  heart;  that  give 
just  views  of  Providence,  and  of  human  nature? 
Do  not  certain  subjects  in  theology  call  for  se- 
rious investigation,  before  you  discuss  them 
anew  ?  Have  you  not  sermons,  which  ought  to 
be  copied,  which  need  alterations,  retrenchments, 
and  additions?  Do  not  the  arrangement,  the  style, 
the  spirit  of  the  performance,  admit  vast  improve- 
ment ?  Does  not  the  importance  of  the  subject  de- 
mand a  more  lucid  method,  a  more  perspicuous  ar- 
rangement, a  more  impressive  m^annerj  more  ele- 
17 


130  MEMOIRS  OF 

gance,  more  energy,  more  pathos  ?  A  more  childish 
frenzy  never  seized  the  mind  of  a  slothful  servant, 
than  the  opinion,  that  unstudied  sermons, thoughts 
hastily  huddled  together,  are  more  popular  with  an 
illiterate  assembly,  than  discourses  thoroughly  di- 
gested, and  expressed  in  a  correct  and  finished 
style.  The  fact  is,  no  assembly  is  so  stupid,  as 
not  to  feel  the  difference  between  a  sermon, 
crude  and  disconnected,  and  one  elaborately  and 
judiciously  prepared,  and  maturely  adapted  to 
their  circumstances  or  characters.  Though  he 
may  more  precisely  know  in  what  the  difference 
consists,  yet  no  learned  critic  feels  the  differ- 
ence more  forcibly,  nor  is  more  disposed  to  do 
justice  to  the  preacher,  than  a  common  auditory. 
Observation  proves  that  when  a  minister  is  dili- 
gent, and  enters  deeply  into  the  nature  and  spi- 
rit of  his  subject;  when  his  heart,  his  words,  his 
appearance,  are  in  unison  with  his  doctrine,  his 
people  always  discover  it,  and  listen  with  cor- 
responding attention.  When  he  is  dull,  and  Hst- 
less,  and  unprepared,  they  ever  catch  the  con- 
tagious spirit  of  slumber  and  moral  death. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  131 


SECTION  XL 


DOCTOR  WHEELOCK's  PERSON— HIS  SUCCESSOR— HIS  MISSION 
TO  EUROPJ-.— LANDS  GRANTED  BY  VERxMONT— NEW  COLLEGE 
EDIFICE—PROFESSOR  RIPLEY— LANDS  GRANTED  BY  NEW 
HAMPSHIRE,  &c. 

DOCTOR  WHEELOCK's  person  was  of  a 
middle  stature  and  size,  well  proportioned,  erect, 
and  dignified.  His  features  were  prominent,  his 
eyes  a  light  blue,  and  animated.  His  complexion 
was  fair,  and  the  general  expression  of  his  coun- 
tenance pleasing  and  handsome.  His  voice  was 
remarkably  full,  harmonious,  and  commanding. 

As  the  charter  of  the  college,  with  which  the 
school  is  connected,  gave  to  Dr.  Wheelock,  the 
founder,  the  right  to  nominate  and  appoint  his 
successor,  he,  in  his  will,  nominated  three  gentle- 
men. The  first  was  his  second  son.  Col.  John 
Wheelock,  then  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States.  He  accepted  the  appointment,  which 
was  confirmed  by  the  Trustees,  and  is  now  the 
President  of  Dartmouth  College,  and  Moor's 
School.  The  pious  confidence  of  Dr.  Wheelock, 
which  he  expressed  just  before  his  death,  that 
his  son,  \vho  had  assisted  him  in  his  toils,  would 
be  succeeded  and  blest  in  carrying  on  the  good 
work,  which  he  had  begun,  has  been  conspicu- 
ously realized.  The  united  institutions  have  been 
remarkably  prospered  and  blest  under  his  able 
and  faithful  instructions.  As  the  college  had 
suffered  great  disappointments  and  losses  during 
the  war,  the  Trustees  supposed  this  a  proper  time 
to  make  application  to  the  friends  of  literature  in 
Europe  for  assistance.  Mr.  Wheelock,  lately 
appointed  President,  had  on  the  cessation  of 
hostiUties,  determined  to  visit  Europe  for  the 
purpose  of  improvement,  and  to  negotiate  with 


132  MEMOIRS  OF 

the  Hon.  Society  in  Scotland,  respecting  the 
monies  of  Moor's  School  in  their  hands.  The 
Trustees,  therefore,  authorized  him  to  solicit  ben- 
efactions for  the  universit}^  He  embarked  in 
1782,  furnished  with  testimonials  and  recom- 
mendations in  favor  of  the  institution  *by  his 
Excellency  President  Washington,  and  several 
governors,  and  principal  gentlemen  of  the  United 
States.  He  met  with  considerable  success;  se- 
veral gentlemen  in  Great  Britain  became  libe- 
ral benefactors.  They  gave  the  principal  arti- 
cles of  a  philosophical  apparatus,  and  a  variety 
of  curiosities  for  the  museum.  He  also  visited 
France  and  Holland.  The  Prince  of  Orange  pat- 
ronized the  object,  and  made  a  handsome  dona- 
tion. On  his  return,  the  President  embarked  in 
a  ship,  commanded  by  Captain  Callahan,  bound 
to  Boston,  which  was  unfortunately  wrecked  in 
the  night,  on  the  wild  and  stormy  coast  of  Cape 
Cod.  Providentially  the  lives  of  the  passengers 
and  crew  were  saved.  After  the  vessel  struck, 
they  committed  themselves  to  the  surge,  and 
'\vere  borne  to  the  beach. 

Very  cordially  was  he  welcomed  by  the  Col- 
lege and  his  friends.  Most  happy  to  Dartmouth 
College  was  his  acceptance  of  the  Presidency. 
*Not  to  mention  those  natural  and  acquired  tal- 
ents, which  have  rendered  him  so  conspicuous  in 
the  walks  of  literature  ;  nor  those  amiable  vir- 
tues, which  have  endeared  him  to  all  the  sons  of 
Dartmouth,  he  was  probably  the  only  man  in  the 
world,  who  could  or  would  have  made  the  sacri- 
fices necessary  to  the  existence  of  the  college  at 
that  time.  So  feeble  were  the  dependencies  of 
this  infant  seminary  ;  so  obstructed  by  the  war 
were  all  its  sources  of  income,  that  when  other 
necessary  demands  were  answered,  not  a  cent  re- 


BR.  WHEELOCK.  133 

iiiained  for  the  presidency.  For  three  years  Pre- 
sident Wheelock  devoted  himself  entirely  to  the 
laborious  duties  of  his  otHce,  supporting  himself 
and  famil}^,  without  any  salary  or  reward. 

Though  the  college  was  near  our  northeru 
frontier ;  though  it  suffered  serious  embarrass- 
ments by  the  revolutionary  war ;  yet  a  respecta- 
ble number  of  resident  students  received  their 
education  there  in  that  period  ;  twelve  of  whom, 
on  an  avarage  w^ere  supported  by  the  funds  of 
the  school. 

Every  other  college  in  the  country  beside  this 
was  disturbed  by  the  war,  and  compelled  for 
some  time  to  suspend  their  exercises.  Dartmouth 
continued  her  course  through  the  storm.  While 
Harvard,  and  Yale,  and  other  colleges  were  bar- 
racks for  soldiers,  or  were  trembling  at  the  roar 
of  artillery,  Dartmouth,  surrounded  by  her  for- 
ests, quietly  pursued  her  studies.  After  the  es- 
tablishment of  peace  the  affairs  of  the  college 
assumed  a  brighter  aspect.  It  had  been  greatly 
useful  to  Vermont,  separated  from  it  only  by 
Connecticut  river,  in  educating  her  sons.  The 
Legislature  of  that  State,  therefore,  in  the  year 
17S5,  gratefully  made  a  grant  to  the  college  and 
school  of  a  township,  containing  twenty  three 
thousand  acres.  (I)  By  this,  and  other  resources 
mentioned,  the  trustees  in  17S6,  were  encour- 
aged to  lay  the  foundation  of  a  new  college 
edifice,  which  was  finished  the  next  year.  It  is 
of  wood,  handsome  and  commodious,  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  feet  long,  fifty  broad,  with  a  ]}ro- 
jection  in  front,  three  stories  high,  containing 
thirty  six  rooms  for  students.  Very  near  the 
college  is  a  handsome  chapel,  fifty  feet  by  thirty' 
six»  They  stand  on  a  gently  rising  eminence. 
In  front  of  them  extends  a  verdant  square,  wliich 


134  BIEMOIRS  OF 

is  surrounded  with  handsome  buildings,  a  meet- 
ing house,  with  a  handsome  spire,  a  house  for 
Moor's  School,  adorned  with  a  cupola,  a  large 
building  in  which  are  privileged  chambers  for 
the  students,  and  a  number  of  elegant  dwelling 
houses. 

All  parts  of  the  world  bear  the  traces  of  for- 
mer convulsions  and  changes  in  its  surface.  The 
plain  before  the  college  has  furnished  facts  for 
philosophic  investigation.  In  sinking  a  well  on 
the  westerly  side  of  the  plain,  at  the  house  of 
Mr.  Professor  Smith,  a  quantity  of  pitch  pine 
knots  were  found,  twenty  feet  below  the  sur- 
face ;  two  feet  below  the  knots  wood  coals  were 
found.  At  the  time  the  loftiest  pines  were 
growing  on  the  surface,  the  following  were  the 
strata,  through  which  they  dug  ;  "  Loose  earth, 
with  a  mixture  of  marie,  two  feet ;  sand  and  gra- 
vel, five  feet ;  clay,  eight  feet ;  heavy  moist  sand, 
mixed  with  clay,  ^ve  feet;  blue  gravel,  four 
feet.  This  plain  is  now  about  two  hundred  feet 
above  the  water  of  Connecticut  river.  A  con- 
siderable part  of  the  descent  is  precipitous.  In 
another  part,  trees  mouldered  to  dust  have  been 
discovered  at  a  greater  depth.  Shall  we  suppose 
that  an  earthquake  has  thrown  a  hill  into  a  val- 
ley here  once  inhabited,  or  shall  we  rather  trace 
back  the  change  to  the  era  of  the  general  deluge  f 
In  the  progress  of  our  acquaintance  with  the 
natural  history  of  the  surface  and  bowels  of  the 
earth,  and  the  summits  of  the  highest  mountains, 
we  find  a  thousand  witnesses,  which  testify  to 
the  universality  of  the  flood,  and  confirm  the 
history  of  Moses,  which  declares,  that  "  All  the 
high  hills  that  were  under  the  whole  heaven 
were  covered." 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  135. 

In  the  winter  of  1786,  the  college  experienced 
the  loss  of  an  eminent  Instructor,  the  Rev.  Sil- 
vanus  Ripley.  He  was  suddenly  called  from  his 
labors,  in  the  vigor  of  life,  and  the  midst  of  ex- 
tensive usefulness.  He  was  in  the  class,  which 
.first  received  the  honors  of  Dartmouth  College* 
After  taking  his  degree,  he  continued  with  Dr. 
Wheelock  as  tutor  in  the  college.  In  1775,  he 
was  appointed  IVIaster  of  Moor's  School,  and  in 
1779,  at  the  decease  of  Dr.  Wheelock,  he  suc- 
ceeded him  in  the  pastoral  care  of  the  church  ia 
the  college,  and  soon  after  was  elected  professor 
of  divinity.  Professor  Ripley  was  a  learned 
man,  an  orthodox  divine,  an  evangelical  and 
popular  preacher.  His  eloquence  had  nothing 
artificial  or  studied.  His  sermons  were  seldom 
written  ;  his  manner  was  pleasant  and  winning ; 
his  words  flowed  as  promptly  and  easily  in  the 
pulpit,  as  in  the  social  circle.  His  address  was 
agreeable,  and  his  benevolence  rendered  him  ami- 
able to  others.  During  his  ministry  in  1781  and 
1782,  there  were  remarkable  revivals  of  religion 
among  the  students  and  others  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  college.  After  his  decease,  the  Rev.  "Dr. 
Smith  was  appointed  to  the  pastoral  care  of  the 
church. 

The  former  government  of  New  Hampshire 
being  dissolved,  a  further  investigation  respect- 
ing the  title  of  lands,  granted  by  the  royal  go- 
vernors, took  place,  from  which  the  Trustees  of 
the  college  found  that  their  title  to  Landatf 
was  precarious.  It  was  granted  to  them  by 
Governor  Wentworth,  but  many  years  before 
this,  it  had  been  chartered  to  others  by  g.  former 
(jovernor. 

The  first  grantees  not  fulfilling  the  conditions 
of  the  charter,  it  was,  agreeably  to  the  usage 


135  MEMOIRS  0^^ 

then,  declared  by  the  Governor  and  Council  to 
be  forfeited.  Afterwards  it  was  granted  to  the 
college;  but  after  the  revolution  the  first  gran- 
tees renewed  their  claim,  alledging  that  the  ad- 
judication of  the  forfeiture  was  irregular.  One 
or  two  cases  of  the  kind  were  tried  by  the  pro- 
per judicature,  and  the  lands  awarded  to  the  first 
proprietors.  The  Trustees  yielding  on  principles 
of  law  to  a  prior  title,  have  constantly  confided 
in  the  justice  of  the  State  to  indemnify  them  for 
their  loss.  More  especially  do  they  continue 
their  confidence  in  the  government,  as  this  do- 
nation was  a  principal  condition  of  establishing 
the  college  in  New  Hampshire.  Large  sums 
were  expended  by  the  institution  for  the  settle- 
ment of  that  town,  in  building  mills,  opening 
roads,  clearing  lands,  and  erecting  buildings. 
The  principal  obstacles  had  been  surmounted, 
when  they  were  compelled  to  abandon  all  their 
improvements.  A  large  farm,  designed  to  be  re- 
tained for  the  college,  with  suitable  buildings, 
was  in  an  advanced  state  of  cultivation.  Begin- 
nings had  been  made  on  several  others.  With 
this  township  the  college  seemed  to  lose  its  prin- 
cipal resource.  It  had  been  estimated  with  judg- 
ment, as  equal  to  a  capital  of  fifty  thousand  dol- 
lars. 

The  government  of  New  Hampshire,  in  1789, 
generously  granted  to  the  college  a  valuable  tract 
of  land,  lying  on  Connecticut  river,  above  the 
Upper  Coos;  but  new  and  remote,  it  falls  short 
of  Landaff  in  value  to  the  institution.  They 
have  also  lately  manifested  a  laudable  disposition 
to  patronize  this  seminary.  Having  discovered 
that  its  present  income  is  inadequate  to  the  ac- 
complishment of  several  important  objects,  which 
the  Corporation  were  striving,  with  much  diffi- 


DR;  WHEELOCK.  -  l3f 

culty  to  attain,  the  General  Court,  in  1805, 
granted  nine  hundred  dollars  to  aid  them  the  fol- 
lowing year.  From  the  cheerful  manaer  in 
v/hich  this  favor  was  conferred,  there  is  reason 
to  expect,  that  future  legislators  will  be  impress- 
ed with  the  importance  of  the  institution  to  their 
government,  and  its  powerful  tendency  to  ame- 
liorate the  condition  of  man. 


1^ 


138  MEMOIRS  OF 


SECTION  XII. 

f  UNDS  OF  THR  COLLEGE  AND  SCHOOL— FUND  IN  SCOTLAND^ 
INDL\NS  IN  MOOR'S  SCHOOL— REVIVALS  OF  RELIGION— NUM- 
BERS—SITUATION  FRIENDLY  TO  MORALS,  AND  PROGRESS 
IN  LITERATURE— PROFESSOR  SMITH,  &c. 

THE  funds  of  the  college  and  school  are  chief- 
ly in  lands,  amounting  to  about  fifty  thousand 
acres.  The  President  and  Trustees  have  dis- 
posed of  the  greater  part  of  those  granted  by 
the  State  of  New  Hampshire.  Twelve  thousand 
acres,  the  most  valuable  part,  they  still  hold. 
The  college  lands,  which  are  funded,  are  leased, 
and  yield  a  rent  from  25  to  10/,  for  a  hundred  a- 
cres  per  annum,  according  to  situation  and  qua- 
lity. The  present  income  from  college  land  is  about 
1 333  dollars,  a  year.  This  with  the  tuition  makes 
a  revenue  of  about  3500  dollars.  The  fund  of 
Moor's  school  in  this  country  consists  alnlost  whol* 
ly  of  land  in  the  township  of  Wheelock,  which  was 
given  by  the  State  of  Vermont.  The  income  from 
this  will  amount  to  nearly  two  hundred  pounds  per^ 
annum  ;  to  which  will  be  added  the  interest  of 
a  thousand  acres  in  the  town,  and  other  consi- 
derable tracts  of  wild  land,  which  are  not  yet 
leased. 

By  a  settlement  made  with  the  society  in  Scot- 
land, in  1791,  it  appears  that  the  money  in  their 
hands  amounted  to  11,333  dollars,  which  is  up- 
on interest  at  four  per  cent.  This  has  continu- 
ed with  little  variation.  It  will  be  continued, 
and  the  interest  annually  expended  for  the  sup- 
port of  Indian  scholars.  Four  Indian  lads,  be- 
tween nine  and  fourteen  years  of  age,  belonging 
to  the  St.  Francis  tribe,  are  now  members  of 
Moor's  school.  They  are  supported  by  the  in- 
terest of  the  fund  in  Scotland.  It  is  expected 
that  generally  about  this  number  may  be  sup- 
ported.    The  boys  have  good  abilities^  and  make 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  139 

laudable  progress  in  their  studies.  The  fund  de- 
rived from  the  township  of  Wheelock,  as  may  be 
expected  by  the  grantors,  will  be  chiefly  applied 
to  lighten  the  burden  of  our  own  youth  in  the 
course  of  their  education.  In  a  year  or  two  it 
is  probable  that  the  funded  interest  of  the  school 
will  cancel  the  remainder  of  the  debts,  contract- 
ed in  former  years,  excepting  what  is  on  the  cre- 
dit of  the  fund  in  Scotland.  The  school  and 
college  have  happily  answered  the  hopes  of  their 
founder  and  benefactors.  The  state  of  society 
among  the  Six  Nations  has  been  essentially  im- 
proved. Other  Indians  have  experienced  im- 
portant advantages  ;  the  door  is  now  open  to 
render  them  great  service  in  Upper  and  Lower 
Canada. 

The  vast  importance  of  these  things  will  be 
acknowledged  by  all,  who  have  only  a  slight 
knowledge  of  the  ferocity  and  superstition  of  sa- 
vages. Their  belief  of  witchcraft,  their  fear  of 
evil  spirits,  and  their  consequent  subjection  to 
the  arts  of  their  conjurors  often  render  their  days 
miserable.  Not  only  their  women  and  common 
people,  but  their  Sachems  and  bloody  warriors 
tremble  at  the  threat  of  their  powows,and  the  idea 
of  malignant  demons.  Who  has  not  heard  of 
Logan  ?  The  following  anecdote  of  him,  we  think 
must  be  interesting.  It  is  extracted  from  the 
journal  of  a  missionary,  who  visited  the  Indians 
on  the  Muskingum,  in  the  summer  of  177L\ 

*'Saw,  at  several  times  at  Pittsburgh,  the  cele- 
brated Mingo  or  Seneca  Chief,  Capt.  Logan. 
He  is  tall,  straight,  and  well  proportioned  ;  his 
appearance  martial,  and  his  countenance  fero- 
cious. Was  informed  that  during  the  last  French 
war,  he  was  an  active  leader  of  a  band  of  sa- 
vages, who  desolated  the  defenceless  frontiers  ; 
killing,  scalping,   and  captivating  a  number  of 


140  MEMOIRS  OF 

poor  men  women  and  children.  After  the  said 
war,  a  murder  and  robbery  of  a  white  man  was 
committed  on  the  Allegany  Mountain.  From 
circumstances,  suspicion  fixed  the  crime  upon 
Logan,  though  no  particular  proof  could  be  had 
to  convict  him. 

I  tarried  about  three  weeks  at  Pittsburgh,  and 
preached  several  tim.es  to  the  people  of  the  vil- 
lage, who  lived  in  about  thirty  log  houses  ;  and 
also  to  the  British  garrison,  in  the  fort,  a  few 
Tods  distance,  at  the  request  of  the  commanding 
officer.  Major  Edminstone. 

Set  out  for  Muskingum,  in  company  with  my  in- 
terpreter, a  christian  Indian,  one  of  the  converts  of 
the  late  excellent  and  pious  David  Brainard.  Ma-j 
jor  Edminstone,  at  my  request,  politely  gave  leave 
to  his  interpreter  at  the  fort,  to  accompany  me. 
He  was  a  young  man  well  acquainted  with  the 
customs,  manners  and  language  of  the  Indians, 
having  been  some  years  a  prisoner  among  them; 
These  men  were  provided  with  guns  and  ammu- 
nition, principally  for  the  sake  of  wild  game,  on 
which  we  depended  for  subsistance  in  our  jour- 
ney. 

The  second  day  after  our  departure,  we  unex- 
pectedly came  upon  Capt.  Logan.  I  did  not  ob- 
serve him,  until  my  interpreter  hailed  me,  and 
said  Capt.  Logan  wished  to  speak  with  me.  He 
was  standing  a  few  rods  from  the  path,  under  a 
tree,  with  another  Indian  by  him,  each  having 
ii  rifle;  they  were  painted  and  in  warlike  dress, 
1  rode  up  to  him,  and  addressing  him  by  name, 
asked  him  what  he  wished  to  say  to  me  ;  he  look- 
ed pale,  appeared  to  be  agitated,  and  after  a  pause, 
pointing  to  his  breast,  said,  ''  I  feel  bad  here. . 
fVherever  I  go  the  evil  Mo7iethoes  (devils)  ai^c 
pursuing  me.  If  I  go  into  my  cabin,  my  cabin  i^ 
JuU  of  devils,     Jf  J  go  into  the  woods ^  the  tr^e^ 


DR.  \^'HEELOCK.  141 

and  the  air  are  full  of  devils.  They  hunt  me  bi/ 
day  and  by  night.  They  seem  to  want  to  catch  me 
end  throw  me  into  a  great  deep  pit,  full  offireP 
In  this  strain  of  devils  haunting  him,  here  and 
there,  and  every  where,  he  talked  some  time, 
leaning  on  the  muzzle  of  his  gun.  His  eyes 
were  fixed  on  the  ground,  he  never  once  raised 
them  to  look  me  in  the  face  ;  he  was  as  pale  as  an 
Indian  could  look,  and  in  the  conclusion  asked 
me  what  he  should  do  ?  I  gave  him  such  friend- 
ly advice  as  the  moment  suggested.  Exhorted 
him  to  reflect  on  his  past  life ;  to  repentance  and 
prayer  to  God  for  pardon,  and  that  he  would 
drive  those  evil  spirits  from  him.  I  was  not  a 
little  surprized  at  his  appearance,  and  thought  it 
not  unlikely  that  his  conscience  was  harrowed 
with  remorse  for  the  many  murders,  which  the 
bloody  minded  wretch  had  perpetrated."* 

It  is  to  be  lamented  that  some  method,  more 
successful  has  not  been  discovered  to  christian- 
ize such  savages.  In  almost  every  part  of  the 
christian  world,  the  labors  at  different  times  have 
been  immensely  great ;  the  effect  has  been  com- 
paratively inconsiderable.  The  efforts  made  by 
the  first  fathers  of  New  England  were  noble, 
but  not  permanently  successful.  The  labor  ofDr. 
Wheelock  was  immense ;  his  scheme  in  theory 
was  most  flattering,  but  in  a  great  degree  it  dis- 
appointed his  hopes.  The  good  men,  from  tlie 
London  Missionary  Society,  scattered  over  the 
islands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean,  receive  no  harvest 
from  their  long  continued  work. 

*  Soon  after  the  commencement  of  the  revolutionary  war,  infor- 
mation was  received,  that  Logan,  at  the  head  of  a  party  af  Indian 
yarriors,  fell  upon  the  back  settlements,  and  murdered,  scalped,  and 
captivated  thirteen  of  the  defenceless  inhabitants.  Thus,  this  fero- 
cious barbarian,  satiated  his  vengeance,  for  the  unjustifiable  murder  of 
his  women,  which  a  late  writer  represents  him  as  lamenting  in  high  ori-. 
enta!  strains. 


14i2  MEMOIRS  OF 

Perhaps  we  shall  yet  discover  that  the  best  me- 
thod to  make  salvages  christians,  is  for  christians 
first  to  make  them  comfortable  and  happy.  In- 
stead of  employing  their  young  men  in  our  semi- 
naries in  reading  the  Latin  andGreek  poets,  which 
has  a  tendency  to  make  pagans  of  christians, 
let  them  be  taught  the  useful  arts,  and  the  first 
rudiments  of  religion.  Let  them  return  to  their 
tribes,  and  erect  more  commodious  dwellings 
than  their  neighbors  and  brethren  ;  let  them  bet- 
ter cultivate  their  gardens,  and  provoke  emula- 
tion around  them.  Let  our  missionaries  be  men 
of  business  ;  let  them  be  farmers,  raechanics,and 
physicians.  The  people  of  Otaheite  say  to  their 
missionaries,  "  you  tell  us  of  our  salvation,  and 
behold  we  are  dying."  They  point  to  their  sick  and 
ask  their  preachers  whether  they  can  heal  them. 
Were  they  physicians  they  would  rise  superior 
to  the  conjurers,  who  are  always  hostile  to  the 
gospel,  and  who  alone  pretend  to  the  healing  art. 
Let  the  missionaries  show  them  how  to  build  and 
plant.  Thus,  by  relieving  the  distresses  of  the 
sick,  and  increasing  the  comforts  of  all,  they 
may  win  their  hearts  and  command  their  confi- 
dence. Let  them  begin  their  instructions  with 
the  evident  first  principles  of  natural  religion ; 
'^  tell  them  what  they  themselves  do  know,"  be- 
fore they  exhibit  orthodox  creeds  or  abstruse  ca- 
techisms. In  these  ways  perhaps  a  new  era  may 
mark  the  history  of  missionary  societies,  and 
new  success  encourage  and  reward  their  benevo- 
lent sacrifices. 

When  the  college  was  removed  to  Hanover, 
there  were  about  twenty  families,  living  in  as 
many  log  huts  ;  now  there  are  in  the  town  about 
two  thousand  inhabitants,  residing  in  comforta- 
ble liouses,  many  of  them  handsome  and  elegant.- 


DR.  WIIEELOaC.  143 

The  college  has  been  repeatedly  favored  with 
remarkable  religious  impressions  on  the  minds  of 
the  students.  Particularly  were  the  years  1771, 
1775,  1782,  1788,  distinguished  by  these 
special  tokens  of  divine  favor.  These  showers 
of  divine  grace  have  produced  streams,  which 
have  refreshed  the  garden  of  the  Lord,  and  made 
glad  the  city  of  our  God.  The  young  men  in 
this  school  of  the  prophets,  have,  at  these  sea- 
sons, been  powerfully  and  lastingly  affected  ; 
they  have  gone  forth  as  "  angels  of  the  church- 
es ;"  the  work  of  God  has  prospered  in  their 
hands  ;  many  of  their  people  have  been  turned 
to  righteousness. 

Why  should  it  be  thought  a  strange  thing  that 
God  should  revive  his  work  at  particular  times 
and  places  ?  If,  as  many  suppose,  God  himself, 
by  his  immediate  agency,  governs  the  world, 
producing  every  thought  and  emotion  of  the 
mind,  and  that  Providence  is  nothing  less  than 
creation  contmned,  there  is  no  difficulty  in  be- 
lieving, and  even  in  accounting  for  those  sea- 
sons, denominated  reviv-als  of  religion.  Strictly 
speaking,  no  new  operation  takes  place  ;  but  that 
same  Almighty  power,  which  is  constantly  ope- 
rating, in  these  instances,  works  in  a  peculiar  and 
glorious  ma.nner. 

If,  as  some  others  suppose,  God  does  not  go- 
vern the  world,  by  his  ov/n  immediate  agency, 
but  leaves  second  causes  to  operate  in  a  uniform 
course,  why  is  it  incredible  or  strange,  that  such 
religious  operations  slundd  he  temporary  and  lo- 
cal? Does  not  a  certain  combination  of  circum- 
stances produce  a  zeal  for  science  in  a  whole 
neighborhood,  or  a  political  agitation  through 
the  land  ?  Why  then  may  not  a  certain  combina- 
tion of  events  produce  an  affecting  religious  at- 
tention, through  tlie  neighborhood  or  the  land? 


144  ^  MEMOIRS  OF 

However  irreligious  the  world  may  be,  they  hav€ 
the  belief  and  the  convictions  of  divine  truth, 
which  lay  a  broad  basis  to  sustain  the  most  pow- 
erful religious  impressions.  If  the  erection  of  a 
new  school,  may  animate  a  whole  district ;  if 
a  particular  act  of  government  may  inflame  the 
country,  why  may  not  a  new  and  affecting 
preacher,  or  a  new  and  wonderful  providence,  a- 
larm  a  whole  neighborhood  ?  Without  insisting 
on  our  particular  views  of  these  seasons,  we  see 
not  that  the  philosopher  need  enter  his  "veto  a- 
gainst  them. 

The  benefits  of  the  institution  are  increasing ; 
they  are  inconceivably  important.  The  sons  of 
Dartmouth  have,  perhaps,  had  an  equal  share  of 
distinction,  as  teachers  in  academies  and  col- 
leges, as  advocates  at  the  bar,  judges  on  the 
bench,  preachers  in  the  pulpit,  and  soldiers  in 
the  field. 

From  the  founding  of  the  college  to  the  pre- 
sent time,  the  conduct  of  the  students,  with  ve- 
ry few  exceptions,  'has  been  uninterruptedly  re- 
gular and  amiable.  The  pupils  have  very  uni-^ 
formly  the  respect  and  affection  of  children  for 
the  President  and  Professors,  who  have  always 
exercised  the  tenderness  and  solicitude  of  fa- 
thers toward  the  students.  The  government  of 
the   college  has   always   been  ^tnci\y  parent aL 

For  more  than  half  a  century,  thirteen  persons 
on  an  average,  have  been  supported  by  the  funds 
of  the  school,  as  missionaries,  as  school  masters, 
or  as  students,  preparing  for  missions.  The  ex- 
pence  of  maintaining  so  many  persons ;  the  re- 
moval and  settlement  of  the  school  and  college 
in  a  dismal  wilderness;  the  erecting  of  various 
necessary  buildings ;  the  clearing  and  cultivat- 
ing of  new  lands,  for  the  perpetual  support  of 
Moor's  School,   occasioned  immense  expences; 


DH.  WHEELOCK,  145 

and  account  for  the  expenditure  of  the  fund  in 
England,  and  the  debts  which  have  been  con- 
tracted. 

It  would  doubtless  have  been  pleasant  to  ma- 
ny readers,  to  have  seen  some  of  the  private  re- 
lio-ious  exercises  of  so  eminent  a  servant  of  God 

o. 

as  Dr.  Wheelock  ;  but  whether  the  crowd  of  bu- 
siness, which  constantly  pressed  upon  him,  or 
the  fear  of  ostentation,  or  other  reasons  prevent- 
ed, nothing  by  way  of  diary  or  journal  of  his 
private  meditations  has  been  found.  But  his 
labors  exhibit  his  character  ;  their  vastness  shows 
the  powers  of  his  mind  ;  their  godlike  tendency, 
the  goodness  of  his  heart.  "  His  profession  and 
practice  evinced  the  governing  principle  of  his 
life,  which  was  to  live  in  the  fear  of  God  and  to 
subserve  his  glory."  The  want  of  a  journal  is  in 
a  great  degree  supplied  by  his  letters  to  chris- 
tian friends  at  the  close  of  this  volume. 

In  I8O9,  the  college  experienced  an  immense 
loss  in  the  death  of  Dr.  Smith.  He  had  devoted 
his  life  chiefly  to  the  study  of  languages.  No 
other  professor  in  any  college  of  the  continent,  had 
so  long  sustained  the  office  of  instructor ;  none  had 
been  more  happy,  useful,  or  diligent.  Though 
indefatigable  in  his  studies,  he  was  always  social 
and  pleasant  with  his  friends,  entirely  free  from 
that  reserve  and  melancholy,  not  infrequent  with 
men  of  letters.  At  an  early  age  he  obtained  the 
honors  of  this  seminary,  and  even  while  a  young- 
man  was  appointed  professor  of  the  oriental  lan- 
s,uaQ^es.  These  were  the  smallest  moietv  of  his 
merit  and  his  fame.  Without  that  intuitive  ge- 
nius, which  catches  the  relation  of  things  at  a 
glance,  bv  dilio-ence,  bv  laborious  studv,  bv  in- 
vincible,  perseverence,  which  set  all  difficulties 
at  defiance,  he  rose  in  his  professorship  with  un- 
rivalled lustre.  He.  like  a  marble  pillar^  supj)ort- 
19 


146  MEMOIRS  OF 

ed  this  seminary  of  learning.  Thisjfe^  is  worth 
a  thousand  volumes  of  speculation,  to  prove  the 
happy  and  noble  fruits  of  well  directed  diligence 
in  study.  But  the  best  portrait  of  Dr.  Smith,  is 
drawn  by  President  Wheelock,  in  his  eulogiuni 
on  his  friend,  from  which  we  make  the  following 
extract. 

"  The  Rev.  Dr.  John  Smith,  a  descendant  from 
worthy  parents,  was  born  on  the  21st  day  of 
December,  1752,  in  the  parish  of  Byfield,  in  the 
State  of  Massachusetts.  Early  in  life,  so  soon 
as  his  mind  was  susceptible  of  rational  improve- 
ment, his  father  entered  him  at  Dummer  school, 
under  the  instruction  of  Mr.  Samuel  Moody.  It 
is  unnecessary  to  take  notice  of  the  develope- 
ment  of  his  juvenile  mind,  his  attention  to  lite- 
rature, and  especially  his  delight  in  the  study  of 
the  ancient,  oriental  languages.  That  distin- 
guished master  contemplated  the  height,  to 
which  he  would  rise  in  this  department ;  and  his 
remark  on  him,  when  leaving  the  school  to  en- 
ter this  institution,  was  equal  to  a  volume  of  eu- 
logy. 

Dr.  Smith  took  his  first  degree  in  the  year 
1773.  He  still  resided  at  the  College  with  un- 
remitted ardour  in  his  literary  pursuits.  His 
mind  was  not  wholly  isolated  in  one  particular 
branch.  Philosophy,  geography,. criticism,  and 
other  parts  of  philology,  held  respectable  rank  in 
his  acquirements;  but  these  yielded  to  a  prevail- 
ing bias  :  the  investigations  of  language  unceas- 
ingly continued  his  favorite  object.  The  know- 
ledge of  the  Hebrew  with  his  propensity  led  him 
to  the  study  of  theology.  He  tilled  the  office  of 
tutor  in  the  College,  when  an  invitation  was 
made  to  him  from  Connecticut  to  settle  in  the 
ministry. 


DR.  AVHEELOCK.  14-7 

At  this  period,  in  the  year  1778,  the  way  was 
open  to  a  professorship  in  the  learned  languages. 
On  him  the  public  eye  was  fixed.  He  under- 
took the  duties,  and  entered  the  career  of  more 
splendid  services  in  the  republic  of  letters.  His 
solicitude  and  labors  were  devoted  to  the  insti- 
tution, during  its  infantile  state  embarrassed  by 
the  revolutionary  war.  He  alleviated  the  bur- 
thens of  the  reverend  founder  of  this  establish- 
ment ;  and  administered  comfort  and  solace  to 
him  in  his  declining  days. 

From  that  period  in  1779,  Dr.  Smith  continu- 
ed indefatigable  in  mental  applications;  faithful 
in  the  discharge  of  official  duties  ;  and  active  for 
the  interest  of  the  society,  through  scenes  of 
trouble  and  adversity.  The  board  of  Trustees 
elected  him  a  member  of  their  body.  The  church 
at  the  Colleg-e,  founded  by  my  predecessor,  in- 
trusted with  him,  as  pastor,  their  spiritual  con- 
cerns, and  were  prospered  under  his  prudent  and 
pious  care.  God  blessed  his  labors;  a  golden 
harvest  reminds  us  of  the  last.  I  may  add,  that 
liis  qualifications,  as  a  divine,  were  appreciated 
abroad ;  and  have  been  acknovv^edged  with 
marked  respect  by  a  public  and  honorable  body. 
To  the  force  of  his  various  exertions,  under  di- 
vine providence,  justice  demands,  that  we  ascribe 
much  in  the  ri»e  and  splendor  of  this  establish- 
ment. 

The  Creator,  in  his  wisdom,  has  not  formed 
the  individuals  of  the  human  race  with  universal 
genius.  Cicero  appears  to  have  been  the  only 
instance,  among  the  ancients,  of  the  same  per- 
son embracing  the  various  arts  and  sciences,  and 
excelling  in  each.  One  mind  seems  to  have 
been  adapted  to  only  one  kind  of  improvement, 
so  that  it  might  be  matured,  in  its  varieties,  by 
the  more   effectual  labors  of  all.     But  can  this 


148  MEMOIRS  OF 

truth  justify  the  usage  of  the  ancient  Egyptians^ 
and  as  continued  in  India,  confining  the  differ- 
cnt  professions  to  particular  families  ?  Human  in- 
stitutions cannot  control  the  laws  of  nature. 
Genius,  restrained,  can  nev^er  advance.  Happy, 
when  education,  and  circumstances,  conduct  it 
in  the  course,  which  nature  designed.  Thus,  in 
regard  to  him,  whose  merit  now  demands  our 
tribute. 

While  surveying  the  circle  of  knowledge,  and 
justly  estimating  the  relative  importance  of  its 
different  branches,  still  his  eye  was  more  fixed 
on  classical  science  ;  and  his  attachment  seemed 
•to  concentrate  the  force  of  genius  in  developing 
the  nature  of  language,  and  the  principles  of  the 
learned  tongues,  on  which  the  modern  so  much 
depend  for  their  perfection.  The  Latin,  the 
Greek,  and  the  Hebrew,  were  almost  familiar  to 
him  as  his  native  language.  He  clearly  compre- 
hended the  Samaritan  and  Chaldaic  ;  and  far  ex- 
tended his  researches  in  the  Arabic. 

Some,  perhaps,  may  think  less  of  the  impor- 
tance  of  Grammar  ;  because,  like  the  at- 
mosphere, its  use  is  common,  though  necessary. 
Will  such  believe,  that  the  enlightened  Greeks 
and  Romans  assigned  a  place  to  its  professors,  as 
well  as  to  philosophers  and  poets,  in  the  temple 
of  Apollo;  could  they  conceive, -that  Suetonius 
devoted  himself  to  write  the  history  of  Illustri- 
ous Grammarians  ?  Plato  gave  rank  to  this  art  in 
his  sublime  works  ;  and  Aristotle  more  largely 
discussed  its  principles.  A  crowd  of  Stoic  phi- 
losophers enlisted  in  the  service.  Varro,  Cicero, 
Messala,  and  Julius  Ceesar,  treated  of  the  same, 
and  did  honor  to  the  subject. 

The  eminent  attainments  of  Dr.  Smith  in  the 
knowledge  of  the  languages  are  attested  by  multi- 
tudes, scattered  in  the  civilized  world,  who  en- 


DR.  WIIEELOCK.  149 

joyed  his  instruction.  They  will  be  attested,  in 
future  times,  by  his  Latin  Grammar,  published 
about  seven  years  ago  ;  and  by  his  Hebrew  gram- 
mar, which  has  since  appeared.  In  each  of  these 
works,  in  a  masterly  manner,  he  treats  of  every 
matter  proper  for  the  student  to  know.  Each 
subject  is  displayed,  in  a  new  method,  with  per- 
spicuity, conciseness,  simplicity,  and  classic  taste. 
His  Greek  grammar,  we  may  suppose,  will  ex- 
hibit the  same  traits,  when  it  shall  meet  the  pub- 
lic eye.  This  last  labor  he  had  finished,  and 
committed  to  the  printer  a  few  months  before  his 
decease.* 

If  we  turn  to  take  a  moral  view  of  this  distin- 
guished votary  of  science,  new  motives  will  in- 
crease our  esteem.  What  shall  I  say  of  the  pu- 
rity of  his  manners,  his  integrity  and  amiable 
virtues  ?  These  are  too  strongly  impressed  on  the 
minds  of  all,  who  knew  him,  to  need  descrip- 
tion. He  was  possessed  of  great  modesty,  and 
a  degree  of  reserve,  appearing  at  times  to  indi- 
cate diffidence,  in  the  view  of  those  less  acquaint- 
ed. But  this,  itself,  was  an  effusion  of  his  good- 
ness, which  led  to  yielding  accommodation  in 
matters  of  minor  concern  :  yet,  however,  when 
the  interest  of  virtue,  or  society,  required  him  to 
act,  he  formed  his  own  opinion,  and  proceeded 
with  unshaken  firmness.  Those,  intimately  ac- 
quainted with  him  can  bear  witness;  and  it  is 
confirmed  by  invariable  traits  in  his  principles 
and  practice,  during  life. 

The  virtues  of  Dr.  Smith  were  not  compressed 
within  the  circle  of  human  relations,  which  van- 
ish with  time.  Contemplating  the  first  cause, 
the  connexions  and  dependencies  in  the  moral 
state,  his  mind  was  filled  with  a  sense  of  inter- 
minable duties.    He  was  a  disciple  of  Jesus.  The 

*  It  has  been  since  published  und  is  much  approved. 


150  MEMOmS  OF 

former  president  admired  and  loved  biin,  and 
taught  him  theology.  The  latter  as  a  divine, 
and  christian,  emhraced  and  inculcated  the  same 

doctrine- peace  on  earth,  and  good  xvill  to  all 

men.  This  amiable  spirit  actuated  his  whole 
life,  and  added  peculiar  splendor  to  the  closing 
scene. 

His  intense  pursuits  of  science  affected  his 
constitution,  and  produced  debility,  which,  more 
than  two  years  before,  began  to  be  observed  by 
his  friends.  It  gradually  increased,  but  not 
greatly  to  interrupt  his  applications  till  six  weeks 
before  his  death.  While  I  revive  the  afRiction 
at  his  departure,  its  accompanying  circumstances 
will  assuage  our  sorrow.  The  thoughts  of  his 
resignation  to  divine  providence,  through  all  the 
stages  of  a  disease,  that  rapidly  preyed  upon  his 
vitals,  his  composure,  serenity,  and  christian  con- 
fidence, remain  for  the  consolation  of  his  friends, 
and  instruction  of  all. 

Such  is  the  character  of  Dr.  Smith,  which  I 
have  endeavored  impartially  and  faithfully  to  de- 
pict. Some  there  are,  who,  by  a  flash  of  achieve- 
ment, have,  like  Pisistratus  and  Demetrius,  re- 
ceived the  burst  of  applause  from  a  deluded  peor. 
pie.  Many  surrounded  with  trappings  of 
wealth,  many,  decorated  with  titles,  many  de- 
scending from  ennobled  ancestors,  have  been  flat- 
tered, while  living,  by  parasites,  celebrated  at 
their  death  by  hirelings,  and  to.  their  memory 
statues  and  monuments  were  erected.  But  such 
glory  vanishes  like  the  falling  star,  and  its  posses- 
sors are  consigned  to  oblivion.  How  different 
is-  the  honor  consecrated  to  merit ;  to  the  memo- 
ry of* him,  whose  departure  we  now  lament !  The 
fan^e  of  Dr.  Smith  does  not  arise  from  wealth,  nor 
flesccnt  from  titled  ancestors.  It  has  no  borrowed 
lustre.     He  was  indebted  wholly  to  his  genius, 


DK.  WHEEIiOCK.  151 

his  labors,  and  his  virtues.  His  monument  will 
exist  in  the  hearts  of  his  acquaintance  ;  and  in 
the  future  respect  of  those,  who  shall  derive  ad- 
vantage from  his  exertions. 

In  the  immense  loss,  which  his  dear  family 
sustain,  they  have  saved  a  precious  legacy;  his 
example,  and  lessons  of  social  and  religious  du- 
ties. The  church  with  mournful  regret,  will  re- 
tain the  tenderest  affection  for  their  venerable 
pastor.  What  shall  1  say  of  this  seat  of  science, 
now  covered  with  cypres  ?  Those,  who  have  trod 
its  hallowed  walks,  will  never  forget  his  instruc- 
tions, nor  the  benevolent  effusions  of  his  heart. 
Where,  in  the  ranges  of  cultivated  society,  is  one 
to  be  found,  qualified  with  those  rare  eodow- 
ments,  which  can  supply  the  chasm  made  by 
his  death  ?" 

It  has  often  been  justly  remarked,  that  the  sit- 
uation of  Dartmouth  College  is  peculiarly  favor- 
able to  study  and  the  preservation  of  morals. 
Circumstances  conducive  to  these  objects,  in  ad- 
dition to  establishments  wisely  arranged  for  the 
pursuits  of  literature,  are  found  in  the  salubrity 
of  the  situation  ;  the  uniform  temperature  of  the 
climate  ;  the  pleasantness  of  the  village  around 
the  college,  neither  too  populous,  nor  too  solita- 
ry. Though  a  considerable  resort  of  company; 
and  mart  of  trade,  the  steady  attention  of  tiie 
students  is  not  distracted  with  new  objects,  nor 
are  they  allured  from  the  fair  paths  of  sicence 
and  virtue. 

The  inhabitants,  consistinjv  of  about  Mtv  fam- 
ilies  living  round  the  beautiful  and  spacious  green 
before  tiie  college  are  generally  respectable,  and 
enjoy  the  pleasures  of  friendly  society  among 
themselves  and  with  the  college.  The  country 
affords  abundance  of  provision  ;  commons  are 
established  on  a  plan  very  agreeable  to  thi^  stu- 


IS^  MEMOIRS  OF 

dents ;  the  expence  of  board  is  not  more  than 
one  dollar  twenty  five  cents  a  week. 

The  long  continued  flourishing  state  of  the 
college  ;  the  peace  and  order,  which  seem  to  be 
permanent  residents  there  ;  the  diligence  of  the 
students,  the  pure  morals  and  amiable  manners, 
so  general  among  them,  evince  the  wisdom  of 
its  administration,  and  show  that  the  labor  of  in- 
structing, and  the  still  more  difficult  task  of  gov- 
erning such  a  collection  of  youth  from  different 
States,  of  different  habits  and  prejudices,  are  pru- 
dently and  wisely  directed. 

The  advantages  for  literary  improvement  at 
Dartmouth  college  are  quite  respectable.  If  the 
students  do  not  make  progress  in  science  it  must 
be  owing  to  want  of  diligence  or  genius.  The 
library  contains  about  four  thousand  volumes  of 
value,  besides  many  of  inferor  rank.  It  is  kept 
in  a  projected  chamber  of  the  college  edifice. 
The  philosophical  apparatus,  chiefly  from  the 
munificence  of  liberal  friends  in  England,  is  kept 
in  another  chamber,  and  is  very  adequate  for  the 
most  useful  experiments.  The  museum  contains 
a  pleasing  collection  of  natural  curiosities.  The 
legislative  government  of  the  college  is  in  a  Board 
of  Twelve  Trustees.  The  immediate  instruction 
and  govenment  of  the  students  is  with  the  Pre- 
sident, who  is  also  professor  of  civil  and  ecclesi- 
astical history  ;  and  a  professor  of  the  Latin, 
Greek,  Hebrew,  and  Oriental  Languages  ;  a  pro- 
fessor of  Mathematics  and  natural  Philosophy  ; 
a  professor  of  Divinity  ;  and  two  Tutors.  The 
medical  establishment  is  under  a  professor  of, 
Chemistry,  and  Medicine,  who  regularly  exhibit 
a  course  of  lectures  in  each  of  these  branch- 
es, (m) 

Lands  in  the  vicinity  belonging  to  the  institu- 
tion, are  sequestered  for  the  use  of  the  different 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  153 

professorships.  Generally  about  one  hundred 
and  fifty  resident  students  belong  to  college  ; 
and  forty  or  fifty  to  the  school,  (n.)  The  whole 
expence  of  education,  exclusive  of  clothing,  is  a- 
bout  one  hundred  dollars  a  year.  The  Com- 
mencement exercises  are  exhibited  on  the  third 
Wednesday  of  August,  in  a  large  and  handsome 
congregational  meeting  house,  built  by  the  peo- 
ple of  the  vicinity.  In  the  same  house  the  stu- 
dents attend  public  worship  on  the  Sabbath. 
About  twelve  hundred  have  receiv^ed  the  hon- 
ors of  Dartmouth  College ;  two  hundred  and 
eighty  of  whom  have  been  ordained  to  the  work 
of  the  gospel  ministry. 

The  qualifications  for  admission  into  the 
Freshman  class  are,  a  good  moral  character,  a 
good  acquaintance  with  Virgil,  Cicero's  select 
orations,  the  Greek  Testam.ent,  knowledge  to 
translate  English  into  Latin,  and  an  acquaintance 
with  the  fundamental  rules  of  Arithmetic.  Every 
student  is  obliged  to  attend  the  various  recita- 
tions, disputations,  and  other  exercises  of  his 
class.  The  members  of  the  classes  in  rotation 
declaim  before  the  officers  in  the  chapel,  every 
Wednesday,  at  two  o'clock,   P.  M. 

The  Senior,  Junior,  and  Sophomore  classes, 
successively  pronounce  such  orations  and  other 
compositions,  written  by  themselves,  as  the  Pre- 
sident and  Professors  shall  direct,  on  the  last 
Wednesday  of  November ;  the  second  ^Vednes- 
day  of  March  ;  and  third  Wednesday  of  iMay. 
Tragedies,  plays,  and  all  irreligious  expressions 
and  sentiments  are  sacredly  prohibited. 

The  languages,  the  arts,  and  sciences,  are  stu- 
died in  the  following  order:  the  Freshman  class 
study  the  Latin  and  Greek  classics,  arithmetic, 
English  grammar  and  rhetoric.  The  Sopho- 
more class  study  thcLatin  andGreek  classics^logic, 
20 


154  MEMOIRS  OF 

geography,  arithmetic,  geometry,  trigonometry^ 
algebra,  conic  sections,  surveying,  belle  letters,  and 
criticism.  The  junior  class  study  the  Latin  and 
Greek  classics,  geometry,  natural  and  moral  phi- 
losophy, and  astronomy.  The  senior  class  read 
metaphysics,  theology,  natural  and  political  law. 
The  study  of  the  Hebrew  and  the  other  Orien- 
tal languages,  as  also  the  French  language  is  re- 
commended to  the  students.  Every  week  some 
part  of  the  classes  exhibits  composition  according 
to  the  direction  of  the  authority.  All  the  classes 
are  publicly  examined  at  stated  periods  ;  those, 
who  are  found  deficient  lose  their  standing  in 
the  class.  It  is  a  fixed  rule  that  the  idle  and  vi- 
cious shall  not  receive  the  honors  of  college. 
The  punishments  inflicted  on  ofltenders  are,  ad- 
monition, suspension,  and  expulsion.  The  pre- 
sident attends  morning  and  evening  prayers  with 
the  students  in  the  chapel,  and  often  delivers 
lectures  to  them  on  ecclesiastical  history,  on  the 
doctrines  of  the  christian  religion,  or  other  im- 
portant subjects.  He  hears  the  recitations  of  the 
senior  class  ;  his  fund  of  general  science  renders 
this  an  interesting  part  of  collegiate  life ;  he  is 
unwearied  in  their  instruction  ;  and  constantly 
watchful  for  the  improvement  and  felicity  of  all 
his  pupils.  The  classes  are  taught  with  the 
greatest  accuracy  by  the  worthy  professor  of  the 
learned  languages,  who  has  with  ability  and  ac- 
ceptance taught  tliese,  and  otber  branches  of 
science,  in  several  respectable  seminaries,  for 
many  years  previous  to  his  election  to  this  of- 
fice, in  I8O9.  T)ie  professor  of  philosophy  has 
long  been  employed  in  the  instruction  of  youth. 
His  amiable  manners,  his  discriminating  genius, 
and  familiar  acquaintance  with  the  sciences  en- 
sure improvement  to  all  the  diligent  pupils  under 
his  care.     The  orthodox  and  evangelical  instruc- 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  155 

tions,  given  by  the  professor  of  divinity,  excite 
the  pleasing  hope,  that  morahty  and  piety  will 
long  be  the  glory  of  this  seminary. 

Two  tutors  are  employed  to  assist  the  profes- 
sors in  the  instruction  of  the  students.  These 
are  young  gentlemen,  distinguished  for  their  sci- 
ence and  talents. 

About  seventy  students  generally  attend  the 
interesting  and  useful  lectures  delivered  by  the 
professor  of  medicine  and  chemistry.  The  va- 
cations are,  from  the  commencement  four  and  a 
half  weeks  ;  and  from  the  first  Monday  in  Janu- 
ary, eight  and  a  half  weeks. 

To  the  most  philosophic,  contemplative  ob- 
server, it  must  appear  evident,  that  the  smiles  of 
divine  providence  have  remarkably  attended  the 
establishments  for  science  and  religion,  founded 
by  Dr.  Wheelock.  Nor  shall  we  be  chargeable 
with  superstition  in  supposing,  that  signal  suc- 
cess has  followed,  as  the  reward  of  his  faith,  his 
zeal,  his  prayer,  his  labors  for  God  ;  and  as  the 
reward  of  thousands  of  the  christian  church,  who 
were  in  their  prayers  and  contributions  united  with 
him  in  the  advancement  of  religion,  and  the  hap- 
piness of  mankind  ;  but  however  great  the  bless- 
ings are,  which  we  enjoy  by  his  pious  and  inde- 
fatigable labors,  they  may  be  lost  by  unfaithful- 
ness in  those  who  come  after  him,  or  by  a  depar- 
ture from  that  orthodox  faith,  for  which  he  earn- 
estly contended.  The  original  design  of  Dr. 
Wheelock,  was  the  promotion  of  the  christian  re- 
ligion and  human  science,  for  the  glory  of  God, 
and  happiness  of  mankind.  JMany  friends  of  the 
united  institutions,  not  only  ardently  desire,  but 
confidently  believe,  that  the  gracious  Providence, 
which  founded  them,  and  from  small  beginnings 
has  raised  them  up  to  so  much  respectability,  in 
answer  to  prayer,  and  by  the  exertions  of  pious 


156  MEMOIRS  OF 

men,  will  long  protect  and  continue  them  lumi- 
naries of  useful  science,  and  pure  religion.  Here 
we  with  pleasure  introduce  an  extract  from  a 
manuscript  sermon,  delivered  at  Hanover,  soon 
after  the  death  of  Dr.  Wheelock. 

"  The  Most  High  had  purposed  that  this  vast 
extent  of  territory,  late  a  waste,  howling  wilder- 
ness, and  a  haunt  for  roving  savages,  should  be 
filled  with  civilized  inhabitants,  and  a  people 
professing  his  name ;  that  here  the  gospel  should 
sound  far  and  wide,  and  churches  branch  out  on 
every  side:  and  for  this  glorious  end  he  sent  this 
Lamp  of  Science,  this  illustrious  institution  be^ 
fore  the  future  inhabitants,  as  Joseph  before  his 
church  in  days  of  old,  that  many  souls,  many 
churches  might  be  made  and  kept  alive.  *'  Oh 
magnify  the  Lord  with  me,  and  let  us  bless  his 
name  together!" 

"The  other  colleges  in  this  land  have  been  ex- 
ceeding great  blessings;  they  have  been  the  lights 
and  glory  of  North  America;  God  Almighty 
bless  them  all,  and  restore  tranquillity  and  wonted 
usefulness  to  those  of  them,  which  are  now  deso- 
lated and  waste ;  God  Almighty  brighten  their 
glory,  and  increase  them  all  in  numbers  and 
graces,  in  science  and  all  needed  benefactions. 
Peace  be  within  their  walls,  and  prosperity  with- 
in their  palaces  ;  for  my  brethren  and  compan- 
ions' sake  will  I  say,  peace  be  within  them  until 
time  shall  be  no  more. 

I  consider  christian  universities,  as  instruments 
in  God's  hand,  to  be  not  only  the  greatest  emol- 
ument to  the  State,  but  especially  as  the  light  of 
Zion  and  the  day  of  Jerusalem.  If  ever  I  forget 
you,  oh  ye  schools  of  the  prophets,  let  my  right 
hand  forget  her  cunning  ;  if  I  do  not  remember 
you,  oh  ye  fountains  of  wisdom  and  science,  let 
my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth,  if! 


DR.  WIIEELOCK.  157 

prefer  not  these  pillars  and  ornaments  of  Jerusa- 
lem, above  my  chief  joy.  Yet  certainly  the 
school  of  the  prophets,  which  the  Highest  him- 
self has  established  here,  is,  in  some  regards, 
distinguished  IVom  any  other  on  this  side  the 
ocean  ;  the  good  hand  of  God  is  to  be  regarded 
in  respect  to  them  all,  and  the  kindness  of  it  has 
been  more  manifest  to  some  of  them  than  others  ; 
but  never  have  I  been  acquainted,  either  from 
books,  or  in  any  other  way,  with  such  a  wonder- 
ful series  of  events,  leadmg  to  the  establishment 
of  any  university,  wherein  the  hand  of  God  was 
so  apparent  and  affecting  to  the  attentive  mind, 
as  in  the  case  of  this  institution. 

The  location  of  it  in  this  part  of  the  land,  is 
that  for  which  I  admire  the  wisdom  and  sood- 
iiess  of  God.  The  other  colleges  are  all  situated 
along  the  sea-shore,  on  the  verge  of  the  countr}^ 
this  in  the  very  heart  of  it ;  they,  as  to  their  lo- 
cation, are  like  the  sun  in  the  horizon,  this  like 
that  bright  luminary  flaming  in  the  meridian. 
It  is  true,  at  present  the  inhabitants  are  more 
thin  and  scattered  in  these  regions,  than  near  the 
shore  of  the  sea;  but  a  little  time  will  undoubt- 
edly fill  this  part  of  the  land  with  a  great  abun- 
dance of  people  ;  many  great  and  populous, 
wealthy  and  aifluent  towns,  will  soon  appear  in 
these  late  desert  regions.  What  rapid  progress 
has  been  made  already  ?  a  seat  of  learning  being 
fixed  here,  hath  had,  and  yet  will  have,  the  great- 
est influence  on  multitudes  to  emigate  from  old 
settlements  and  to  flock  all  around  you.  I  pre- 
sume that  in  a  few  years  more,  no  part  of  north 
America  will  exceed  this,  in  numbers,  or  in 
w^ealth  ;  and  blessed  be  God,  that  here  he  has 
placed  a  light  before  him,  a  seminary  of  learning 
and  piety,  wdiose  rays  may  beam  all  around,  to 
enlighten  and  guide  the  State  in  all  civil  and 
political  axiUirs,  and  from  whose  fountain  shall 


158  MExMOIRS  OF 

issue,  every  year,  streams  which  shall  make  glad 
the  city  of  our  God. 

Thousands  of  churches,  we  may  reasonably  ex- 
pect, shall  hence  be  supplied  with  ''  Pastors  after 
his  own  heart,  to  feed  them  with  knowledge  and 
understanding."  What  cannot  divine  power  and 
love  accomplish  for  the  good  of  the  human  kind, 
and  oh  how  glorious  is  the  prospect ! 

Methinks  I  take  my  station  on  some  lofty 
mountain  adjacent,  as  Moses  on  the  top  of  Pis- 
gah,  and  survey  this  wide,  extended  country,  in 
its  future,  hastening  greatness  and  glory.  I  see 
innumerable,  stately  temples,  with  spires  piercing 
the  skies,  on  every  side.  I  hear  even  tongues  of 
iron,  proclaiming  the  sweet  day  of  sacred  rest, 
and  calling  the  numerous  votaries  of  the  high 
God,  and  Jesus  his  Son,  to  "  enter  his  courts 
with  thanksgiving,  and  his  gates  with  praise." 
I  see  in  solemn  and  joyful  procession,  thousands 
of  priests,  clothed  with  salvation,  and  many 
thousands  of  saints  shouting  for  joy.  I  hear  in 
every  house  of  God,  the  awful  thunders  of  Sinai, 
and  the  voice  of  the  trumpet  waxing  louder  and 
louder;  anon,  I  hear  the  sweet  inviting  sound  of 
gospel  grace  and  heavenly  love,  and  behold  souls 
shaken  with  thunders  and  pierced  with  light- 
nings from  the  burning  mount,  listening  to  the 
charming  voice  of  Jesus,  until  the  wounded  and 
the  lame  leap  as  an  hart,  and  the  tongues  of  the 
<lumb  sing  1 — methinks  I  hear  the  wilderness  far 
and  wide,  resound  with' anthems  of  praise,  and 
liear  it  said  of  this  and  that  man,  yea,  of  many 
thousands  that  they  were  born  here,  and  that 
liere  the  Highest  himself,  doth  establish  his  king- 
dom. I  hear  every  passenger  cry  out  and  say, 
*'  How  godly  are  thy  tents  O  Jacob,  and  thy  tab- 
''  ernacles  O  Israel !  as  the  valleys  are  they  spread 
''  forth,   as  gardens  by  the  river's  side,  as  the 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  lo9 

*^  trees  of  lign-aloes,  wbicli  the  Lord  hath  plant- 
*'ed,  and  as  cedar  trees  beside  the  waters;  he 
*^  shall  pour  the  water  out  of  his  buckets,  and  his 
*^  s^ed  shall  be  in  many  waters,  and  his  king 
"  shall  be  higher  than  Agag,  and  his  kingdom 
*^  shall  be  exalted."*  God  make  your  spiritual 
felicity  a  counterpart  to  that  of  the  rich  soil  on 
which  you  dwell." 

In  concluding  this  humble  tribute  of  fdi- 
al  duty  and  gratitude  to  the  memory  of  our 
venerable  patron  and  benefactor,  we  would  ex- 
press our  sincere  and  ardent  wishes,  that  these 
great  and  pious  ends  may  always  be  kept  in  view 
by  the  successors  of  the  honored  founder  in  the 
presidency  of  the  college  and  school,  and  by  all 
to  whom  shall  be  committed  the  important  trust 
of  instruction  and  government,  through  ages  3^et 
to  come.  jMay  the  zeal  and  earnest  labors  of 
their  predecessor,  to  promote  ^the  salvation  of 
men,  prove  an  animating  example  to  all  who  shall 
come  after  him  to  carry  on  the  good  work,  he  so 
happily  begun.  As  the  charitable  funds  of  Aloor's 
school  in  Britain  and  America  are  now  consider- 
able, may  an  effectual  door  be  speedily  opened 
for  their  successful  employment  in  the  conver- 
sion of  the  heathen,  and  promoting  the  best 
good  of  mankind.  Unhappy  must  be  that  indi- 
vidual or  that  corporation,  which  shall  wilfully 
pervert  a  mite  of  that  sacred  treasure  transmitted 
to  them,  that  they  might  publish  the  doctrines 
of  the  cross  among  the  pagans  of  the  American 
wildernes,  to  inculcate  any  other  religion^  or  ac- 
complish,any  other  purposes. 

May  all  concerned  feel  a  happy  portion  of  that 
disinterested  benevolence  which  (ired  the  breast 

*  Nunjh.   xxiv.  5,  6,  T. 


1 60  MEMOIRS  OF 

of  the  pious  founder,  and  by  tlieir  devout  pray- 
ers and  other  suitable  labors,  promote  the  salva- 
tion of  the  heathen.  May  we  all  honor  the  me- 
mory of  Dr.  Wheelock  by  following  the  example 
of  his  virtues,  and  thus  secure  the  reward  of 
faithful  laborers  in  the  vineyard  of  our  Lord. 


While  this  chapter  was  in  the  press,  the  deatli 
of  professor  Hubbard  was  announced  in  the  pub- 
lic gazettes.  Letters  from  various  friends  at  col- 
lege soon  confirmed  the  mournful  fact,  that  ano- 
ther pillar  of  Dartmouth  is  fallen  ;  another  lumi- 
nary is  extinguished.  He  graduated  at  Dartmouth 
in  1785,  in  the  same  class  with  the  writer  of  this 
article.  Never  was  a  young  man  dearer  to  his  col- 
lege associates,  than  w^asour  beloved  Hubbard.  In 
every  branch  of  science  his  progress  was  conspi- 
cuous. With  a  remarkably  retentive  memory  he 
was  among  the  foremost  in  the  study  of  the  lan- 
guages. Through  life  he  continued  to  read  the 
ancient  Greek  writers  for  his  amusement.  The 
strength  of  his  mind  rendered  him  a  distin- 
guished proficient  in  mathematics  and  philoso- 
phy. On  leaving  college  he  studied  theology, 
and  became  a  preacher  of  the  gospel  ;  but  his 
voice,  naturally  small  and  feeble,  was  ill  adapted 
to  a  large  assembly,  and  having  a  remarkable  de- 
light in  the  instruction  of  youth,  he  was  induced 
to  become  the  preceptor  of  an  academy,  in  which 
employ  he  continued  at  New-Ipswich  and  Dear- 
field  most  of  his  life,  till  he  was  elected  by  the 
corporation  of  Dartmouth  college  to  succeed  the 
Hon.  Beza  Woodward  in  the  professorship  of 
mathematics  and  philosophy.  This  offic'^  he  ac- 
cepted and  discharged  with  fidelity  and  accep- 


DR.  WIIEELOCK,  1^.1 

tance  to  the  college  and  tiie  public  for  six  years. 
With  his  brother  officers  of  the  university,  he 
lived  in  harmony  ;  the  President  lovetl  him,  as  a 
son  ;  the  students,  as  a  father.  His  placid  and 
indulgent  temper,  his  winning  manners  rendered 
him  inexpressibly  dear  to  them.  The  class  which 
he  instructed  affectionately  offered  to  sustain  the 
expences  of  his  funeral.  To  those  students,  who 
were  poor,  he  was  not  only  lenient ;  but  a  gen- 
erous benefactor. 

Often  were  his  pupils  surprised  at  his  exact 
knowledge  of  the  sciences  ;  seldom  was  a  book 
in  his  hand,  while  hearinsr  them  recite  in  Geoo-- 
raphy,  the  Latin  classics,  and  some  other  branches 
of  study.  To  convince  them  of  a  mistake,  he 
often  repeated  the  sentence  of  the  Latin  Author 
"verbatim,  explained  the  meaning,  and  showed  the 
construction  of  the  particular  word  or  phrase. 
As  a  christian,  he  did  honor  to  the  gospel  of 
Christ.  For  several  years  he  had  been  a  Ruling 
Elder  in  the  church  at  College,  which  he  had 
joined  in  his  youth.  As  a  husband  and  father, 
he  was  all  that  could  be  desired.  Of  his  merits 
I  speak  only  what  I  know.  From  cheerful 
youth  to  grey  hairs,  he  w^as  my  friend.  Never 
selfish,  never  vain,  never  cold  in  his  feelings,  the 
glow  of  his  friendship  w^as,  like  the  hallowed  fire 
of  the  altar,  never  extinguished.  His  letters 
were  not  only  animated  w^ith  expressions  of  af- 
fection and  enlivened  by  wit,  but  enriched  with 
science  and  the  purest  sentiments  of  morality  and 
religion.  Persevering  as  the  sun  in  his  friendly- 
offices,  he  was  never  satisfied  with  himself,  while 
any  thing  more  could  be  done  for  his  friends  ; 
yet  never  did  he  magnify  his  services,  never  claim 
a  return  of  favors,  nor  assess  a  tax  of  gratitude. 
To  do  good  was  his  object;  having  accomplish- 
ed thiS;  he  was  satisfied.  Thouo-h  the  mijd  and 
'21 


1 6^  MEMOIRS  OF 

gentle  virtues  seemed  most  congenial  with  the 
temperament  of  his  mind;  yet  when  occasion  re- 
quired, when  duty  called,  he  had  an  abundant 
share  of  resolution  and  energy.  No  opposition, 
no  clamors,  not  a  host  of  enemies,  could  induce 
him  to  abandon  the  friend  whom  he  loved,  or 
for  a  moment  to  become  indifferent  to  the  cause, 
which  he  had  conscientiously  espoused.  Having 
made  up  his  mind,  he  never  held  a  parley  with 
difficulties. 

In  music,  few  persons  in  this  country  have  e- 
qualled  him.  In  the  delicacy  of  his  taste,  and 
his  powers  as  a  performer,  he  was  dear  to  the 
lovers  of  sacred  song.  He  was  the  author  of  se- 
veral useful  publications,  and  was  engaged  in 
preparing  others  for  the  public ;  but  his  Master 
has  called  him  from  his  unfinished  labors.  A 
chasm  is  made  in  society;  the  world  has  suffered 
a  loss.  His  family,  the  college,  and  a  numerous 
circle  of  friends,   are  clad  in   the   garments  of 


jnournmg. 


"  ?Iis  health  through  the  summer  had  been 
feeble,  but  about  three  weeks  before  his  death, 
he  was  seized  with  a  violent  fever.  Though  his 
sickness  was  extremely  distressing,  his  setting 
sun  shone  bright.  In  view  of  his  approaching 
change,  he  manifested  a  great  degree  of  compo- 
sure and  enjoyment.  He  called  his  children  to 
him,  and  gave  them  his  most  serious  advice,  his 
dying  admonitions.  The  day  of  his  death,  he 
was  raised  up  in  bed,  and  prayed  for  his  family,, 
in  language  the  most  fervent  and  affecting.  His 
views  were  clear,  and  his  whole  soul  seemed  to  be 
absorbed   in  divine  contemplations." 

Another  friend  writes,  *'  The  loss  of  our  dear 
friend,  professor  Hubbard,  is  irreparable  to  the  in- 
stitution, the  church,  and  society.  The  last  day 
of  his  life  was  the  most  joyful  to  him.  He  had  the 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  l63 

full  exercise  of  his  reason,  most  of  the  time.  He 
was  continually  praying  in  his  heart,  and  some- 
times aloud,  praising  God  for  his  immense  good- 
ness, and  especially  for  the  wonders  of  redeeming 
love;  exhorting  his  friends,  and  those  around 
him  to  the  duties  of  piety;  rejoicing  in  the  thoughts 
of  his  departure.  With  great  composure  he  gave 
directions  respecting  his  funeral,  and  in  death 
did  not  forget  the  sacred  art  by  which  he  had  so 
often  enjoyed  elevated  communion  with  his  Sa- 
vior and  his  God.  He  desired  that  an  extract 
from  his  favorite  Handel  might  be  performed. 
The  words  begin  with,  I  knoxv  that  my  Redeemer 
livethj  ajulthat  he  shall  stand  at  the  latter  day  up- 
GU  earth,  S^c.  His  dying  zvish  was,  that  You, 
Dear  Sir,  might  be  requested  to  deliv^er  a  dis- 
course to  the  college  on  the  occasion  of  his  de- 
parture. Thus  he  died  in  the  triumphs  of  faith 
and  lovT." 

And  didst  Thou  continue  thy  kindness  in  death, 
nor  forget  thy  Friend  in  that  awful  moH^ent.  I  am 
distressed  for  thee,  my  Brother  ;  very  pleasant 
hast  thou  been  unto  me.  Rich  in  bliss  have  been 
the  years  of  our  social  intercourse.  No  jealous, 
nor  rival  thought  ever  marred  one  moment  of  our 
felicity.  Not  more  pure  was  the  love  of  David 
and  Jonathan  ;  and  must  I  see  thee  no  more  ;  no 
more  shed  tears  of  joy  at  any  future  interview  ? 
Oh,  that  I  had  known  thy  danger,  flown  to  thy 
relief,  to  administer  the  hopeful  cordial,  to  hear 
thy  last  adieu,  to  aid  thy  last  pra^^er,  and  smooth 
the  bed  of  death.  Adieu,  my  Friend,  accept  this 
last  tribute  of  love,  adieu,  adieu. 


164  MEMOIRS  OF 


SECTION  XIII. 


EXTRACTS  OF  LETTERS,  FROM  SEVERAL  VERY  RESPECTABLE 
PERSONAL  ACQIAINTANCFS  OF  THE  LATE  DOCTOR  WHEE- 
LOCK,  TO  ONE  OF  THE  AUTHORS. 


From  the  Rev.  John  LatJwop,  D.  D. 

Boston,  Dec.  21,  1803. 

WHILE  I  had  the  care  of  the  school 

in  Lebanon,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Doctor's 
family,  I  had  a  good  opinion  of  his  viev/s  and 
motives,.  I  verily  believe,  he  had  a  strong  de- 
sire to  extend  the  knowledge  of  salvation  to  the 
heathen  nations,  and  by  that  gracious  remedy, 
save  many  souls  from  ruin.  He  gave. me  suffi- 
cient evidence  of  the  purity  of  his  motiv^es. 
While  in  his  family,  he  led  me  into  his  plans, 
and  after  I  left  him,  he  conversed  with  me  free- 
ly, on  the  great  objects  which  he  was  pursuing, 
and  I  must  say,  I  never  had  occasion  to  alter  the 
opinion  I  early  formed  of  him.  I  believe  he  was 
a  sincere  christian,  and  that  few  men  were  more 
under  the  government  of  christian  principles.. 
He  was,  at  times,  very  much  opposed  in  his  fa- 
vorite plans  ;  but  I  never  thought  he  was  vin- 
dictive, or  severe  in  his  resentments.  His  zeal 
Avas  happily  directed  by  prudence  and  reason, 
and  the  love  which  he  had  for  himself  and  his  con- 
nexions, was  habitually  controlled  by  the  rever- 
ence which  he  had  for  God  and  Religion. 

With  sentiments  of  respect  and  esteem,  I  am, 
Ptev.  Sir,  your  friend  and  brother, 

John  Lathrop. 


DR.  WHEELOCK.  t65 

From  the  Rev.  Eden  Burroughs,  D.  D, 

Hanover,  N.  H.  Jan.  17,  1804. 
Doctor  Wheelock  was  an  eminent  Di- 


vine. In  his  religious  principles,  he  was  firmly 
established  in  the  primitive  doctrines  of  the  re- 
formers from  Popery ;  and  ever  viewed,  what 
are  commonly  called  the  doctrines  of  grace,  as  of 
the  first  importance    in  that  system  of  religion, 

w4iich  the  gospel  contains In  addition  to 

his  public  instructions,  in  theological  lectures, 
he  abundantly  practised  free  conferences  with  his 
pupils,  on  subjects  of  religion.  During  his  ad- 
ministration in  the  Presidency,  the  University 
was  a  school  of  religion,  as  well  as  human 
science.  As  a  preacher,  his  aim  was  to  reach  the 
conscience — he  studied  great  plainness  of  speech, 
and  adapted  his  discourse  to  every  capacity,  that 
he  might  be  understood  by  all.  His  preaching- 
was  signally  owned  and  blest.  The  objects 
which  occupied  his  attention,  were  various  and 
important.  The  care  of  all  matters,  pertaining 
to  the  interest,  order,  and  regulation  of  the  uni- 
versity lay  upon  him  ;  and  he  availed  himself  of 
the  knowledge  of  the  minutiae  of  the  interests 
and  concerns  of  the  college  and  school. 

He  had  a  remarkable  talent  at  introducing 
religious  conversation,  without  the  appearance 
of  pedantry  or  ostentation,  and  in  a  manner  to 
prevent  the  most  dissipated  characters  taking 
nmbrage.  He  treated  those  who  came  to  his 
house  Vvith  unbounded  hospitality  and  freedom. 
In  the  manner  of  his  address  there  was  some- 
thing very  mild  and  vvnnning.  To  his  intimate 
friends,  he  opened  his  heart  with  unlimited  free- 
dom, and  they  could  not  fail  to  be  greatly  edified 


166  MEMOIRS  OF 

by  such  religious  interviews.  As  he  Uved,  so  he 
died.  He  was  satisfied  in  the  prospect  of  death. 
Such  was  the  character  of  the  man,  of  whose  hfe 
this  sketch  is  given. 

I  wish  you,  dear  sir,  the  guidance  of  heaven, 
and  am,  yours  affectionately, 

Eden  Burroughs, 


Fro7n  the  Rev.  Timothy  Pitkin, 

Farmington,  April  %  1 804. 
My  personal  and  particular  acquaint- 


ance with  the  late  President  Wheelock,  began  a- 
bout  the  time  of  the  first  meeting  of  the  Trustees 
of  Dartmouth  College,  on  the  engrossing  and 
finishing  the  Charter.  I  had  the  pleasure,  as  a 
member  of  the  Board,  to  meet  the  good  Doctor 
at  Hartford,  and  at  his  house  on  the  ground  where 
the  college  now  stands  ;  and  as  there  was  not 
a  full  Board,  they  met  at  Keen,  and  also  at  Ports- 
mouth, upon  the  concerns  of  the  college.  I 
gratefully  remember  that  he  treated  me  with  the 
tenderness  and  familiarity  of  a  parent  towards  a 
child.  It  was  the  pleasure  of  the  great  Creator 
to  bestow  upon  him  a  large  understanding,  an 
inventive  genius,  and  lively  imagination,  capa- 
ble of  forming  plans  for  the  general  good ;  and 
possessed  of  wisdom  to  discern  the  fullest  means. 
His  acquired  abilities  were  great :  an  accom- 
plished scholar,  especially  in  the  classical  line. 

He  was  early  pious  :  while  a  member  of  Yale 
College,  he  was  zealous  and  pious.  His  heart 
was  warmed  with  love  to  God,  and  the  dear  Re- 
deemer, and  with  that  virtuous   benevolence, 


DR.  WIIEELOCK.  l67 

which  encircles  all  moral  being  in  its  disinterest- 
ed arms  ;  and  christian  graces  beautified  his 
mind,  and  christian  virtues  were  exemplified  in 
his  life.  Religion  sat  upon  him  with  pleasant 
ease,  and  displayed  itself  in  him,  with  inviting- 
char  ms,  as  the  man,  the  friend,  the  g-entleman, 
and  the  christian. 

His  motives  in  founding  the  College  and 
School,  were  ultimately  for  the  glory  of  God, 
and  with  a  sincere  desire,  and  design  for  the  dif- 
fusion of  literature  among  his  fellow  men  ;  but 
more  especially  for  disseminating  learning,  and 
the  seeds  of  piety  and  virtue  among  the  poor 
unlettered  and  perishing  Indians  in  America- 
He  was  faithful  to  his  trust — he  spared  no  pains 
in  and  for  the  promotion  of  the  best  interests  of 
the  institution.  One  reason  of  his  wish  that 
the  school  and  college  might  be  united,  and  fix- 
ed where  the  college  now  stands,  was,  that  some, 
and  not  a  few,  of  the  poor  natives,  might  be  in- 
vited to  it  from  Canada.  Whatever  monies  he 
received  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  the  institu- 
tion, they  were  esteemed  by  him  a  sacred  depo- 
sit, to  be  expended  agreeably  to  the  intention  of 
the  pious  benefactors. 

As  a  minister  of  the  gospel,  he  was  endowed 
with  shining  gifts.  His  address  was  warm,  af- 
fectionate, and  inviting.  In  the  time  of  the 
great  revival  of  religion  in  America,  in  1740 — 41 
and  42,  he  was  esteemed  one  of  the  first  preacli- 
ers.  His  sermons  were  attended  by  multitudes — 
his  addresses  were  from  a  heart  vv^armed  by  di- 
vine grace,  and  animated  by  divine  love.  He 
preached  the  doctrines  of  free  and  sovereign 
grace,  and  called  upon  sinners  to  fiee  to  the  in- 
viting arms  of  the  Dea?^  LmjiamieL  His  heart 
was  engaged  to  instruct  the  poor  Indian  natives 


1^8  MEMOIRS  OF,  &e, 

in  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel ;  to  make  them 
men,  and  to  make  them  christians. 

I  feel  myself  happy  in  contributing  a  mite  to 
the  memory  of  that  worthy  and  good  man. 

With  sentiments  of  esteem,  I  am, 
Sir,  your  most  humble  servant, 

Timothy  Pitkin. 


From  the  Rev.  Nathan  Williams,  D.  D. 

Tolland,  May  23,   1804. 
I  think  it  is  a  respect  due  to  the  me- 


mory of  the  late  President  Wheelock,  to  preserve 
some  memoirs  of  his  life.  And,  although  it  will 
not  aifect  the  deceased,  it  may  be  of  great  ad- 
vantage to  the  living,  and  serve  to  promote  the 
cause  of  literature  and  religion.  I  am  highl}^ 
gratified  in  hearing  that  you  have  undertaken  it, 
though  at  a  late  period. 

I  am,  dear  Sir, 

With  much  esteem, 

Your  friend  and  brother, 

Nathan  Williams. 


NOTES. 

Note  (a)  page  1 2. 

The  following  remarkable  adventure  was  communicated  to 
the  author,  by  two  aged  grand  children  of  Capt.  JVJieelock.    At 
a  time  when  the  settlements  were   alarmed  with  a  threatened 
invasion  of  indians,  Capt.  Wheelock  went  to  a  neighboring  town 
on  urgent  business  ;  his  wife,  fearful  of  danger,  if  left  alone, 
accompanied  him  with  their  two  youngest  children  :  the  eldest, 
a  daughter,  named  Rebecca,  aged  three  years.     They  rode  on 
one  horse  ;  the  eldest,  sitting  on  a  pillow,  before  its  father.    The 
darkness  of  the  night  overtook  them  on  their  return.     They 
had   to  pass   a  river  over  which  a  bridge  had  been   slightly 
made.     In  their  absence,  the  stream  had  swollen  and  carried 
part  of  it  away.     They  entered  upon  it,  and  the  horse  plunged, 
with  the  riders.     The  Captain  with  difficulty  got  to  the  shore, 
with  his  lady  and   infant  child  ;   but  their  beloved  Rebecca  was 
gone.     The  feelings  of  the  parents,   can  be    better  imagined, 
than  described.     The  father  hastened  down   the  side   of  the 
river,  though  obstructed  by   bushes,  and  darkness,  and  outran 
the  stream  :  loudly   calling  her  by   name  ;  until  to    hie  joyful 
surprise,  she  answered  him  from  the  opposite  shore.*     The  lit- 
tle navigator  remained  unhurt  on  her  pillow,  which  was  stop- 
ped by  bushes  projecting  from  the  bank.     With  a  transport  of 
gratitude  to  heaven  for  the  miraculous  deliverance,  the  father 
rescued  his  child  from  the   devouring  element,  and  restored  it 
to  the  arms  of  its  joyful  mother. 


Note  (b)  Page  15, 
The  following  communication  is  from  a  respectable  source  to  the  author. 

Through  the  season  of  that  remarkable  attention  to  religion, 
which  took  place  in  the  year  1742,  through  New  England  and 

*  "  Ut  litus,  Hyla;  Hyla,  omne  sonaret."  Vi^g-  Ech 


1 70  NOTES. 

most  of  the  American  provinces,  no  man  was  more  indefatiga- 
ble in  his  labors  than  Mr.  Wlicelock.  Having  been  much 
succeeded  in  the  work  of  the  ministry  among  the  people  of  his 
particular  charge,  previous  to  this  remarkable  period,  by  his 
labors  being  accompanied  with  the  outpourings  of  the  Divine 
spirit,  he  became  eminently  furnished  for  a  guide  to  inquiring 
souls,  whilst  many  godly  ministers  in  the  land  were  in  some 
degree  staggered  in  their  minds  at  the  newness  of  the  scene, 
and  through  the  want  of  a  proper  degree  of  skill  in  the  word 
of  righteousness,  admitted  of  much  wood,  hay,  and  stubble  into 
the  religion  of  their  professed  converts,  and  thereby  gave  sa- 
tan  much  advantage  against  the  reputation  and  progress  of  the 
work  of  God.  It  is  not  to  be  wondered  that  such  circumstances 
should  induce  people,  in  almost  every  part  of  the  New  England 
Colonies,  to  apply  to  Mr.  Wheelock  with  earnest  solicitations, 
to  repair  to  their  help  and  relief,  whilst  their  minds  were  oc- 
cupied with  a  solemn  and  weighty  sense  of  the  importance  of 
their  eternal  concerns.  His  ardent  zeal  for  God,  and  his  com- 
passionate love  to  the  souls  of  his  fellow  mortals,  readily  promp- 
ted him  to  hearken  to  the  cries  of  the  distressed,  and  repair  to 
the  relief  of  their  anguish  and  trouble  :  And  it  may  here  be 
justly  remarked,  that  he  did  this  to  the  utmost  limits  of  his 
power,  and  even  beyond  his  power.  As  an  evidence  of  such  a 
remark,  it  has  been  computed  on  an  accurate  calculation,  that 
in  the  space  of  a  year,  he  preached  a  hundred  more  sermons 
than  there  are  days  in  the  year.  Such  unwearied  perseverance 
in  a  course  of  incessent  labors  by  night  and  by  day,  cannot 
surely  be  accounted  for  on  any  other  principle  than  this,  that 
his  Divine  Master  did  constantly  accompany  his  labors  by  the 
outpourings  of  his  spirit.  The  word  dispensed  by  him  through 
this  scene  of  his  labors  was  indeed  clothed  with  power,  and 
was  mighty  through  God.  Whilst  he  was  thus  a  burning  and 
a  shining  light,  there  were  many  in  various  parts  of  New  Eng- 
land, who  greatly  rejoiced  in  his  light,  and  regarded  him  as 
tl^eir  spiritual  father,  by   whom  they  were  begotten  through 


NOTES.  171 

the  gospel.  As  an  illustration  of  this  remark,  the  Editor  per- 
suades himself  it  will  be  acceptable  and  edifying  to  the  chris- 
tian reader  to  be  availed  of  the  following  anecdote  of  Doctor 
Wheelock.  At  a  meeting  of  an  ordaining  Council,  at  a  certain 
place  in  New  England,  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
place  of  Mr.  Wheelock's  residence,  a  church  was  to  be  gather- 
ed and  organized  previous  to  the  solemnities  of  the  ordination. 
It  was  gathered  by  a  strict  examination  into  the  evidence  of  a 
work  of  grace  upon  the  hearts  of  those  who  presented  them- 
selves as  candidates  for  christian  fellowship,  and  according  to 
the  best  recollection  of  that  member  of  the  council  who  com- 
municated this  intelligence,  every  member  without  exception, 
professed  that  their  attention  to  religion  was  first  arrested  by 
the  preaching  of  Mr.  Wheelock,  and  that  he  was,  in  the  hand 
of  God,  the  instrument  and  means  of  their  having  passed  from 
death  unto  life. 

Hanover,  January  14,  1806. 
Honored  and  Dear  Sir, 

The  foregoing  I  think,  contains  that  sketch  of  Events  re- 
lating to  the  life  of  our  honored  and  pious  patron,  which  com- 
ports with  what  was  agreed  upon  by  us  at  parting  at  our  last 
interview.  If  it  should  fail  of  answering  your  mind,  you  will 
please  to  avail  me  of  it,  and  the  most  careful  corrections  will 
be  objects  of  my  attention. 

With  cordial  esteem,  your  affectionate  humble  servant, 

EDEN  BURROUGHS. 
President  Wheelock. 


In  the  wonderful  effusions- of  the  divine  spirit,  with  which 
the  people  of  this  land  have  been  favored  in  repeated  instances, 
two  things,  especially,  call  for  our  grateful  notice,  and  are  con- 
firmations of  the  faith  of  christians  in  the  divinity  of  the  reli- 
gion of  Jesus.  One  is,  that  they  have  taken  place  in  times  of 
great  declension   and  lukcwarnmess^  and  when  infidelity  and 


172  NOTES. 

licentiousness  were  rapidly  prevailing.  Suddenly  hath  the 
Redeemer  lifted  up  a  standard  to  the  people ;  and  the  general 
inquiry  has  been,  lohat  shall  ive  do  to  be. saved  ?  This  was  the 
case  in  the  instance  of  which  we  have  been  speaking,  as  well 
as  in  that  which  has  lately  taken  place  in  many  parts  of  this 
land.  The  standard  of  infidelity  was  raised,  and  blasphemers 
of  the  Saviour  grew  bold  ;  but  their  progress  has  been  arrested, 
by  the  omnipotent  Redeemer,  and  converts  have  come  to  Zion, 
with  songs  of  joy.  Another  grateful  circumstance,  attending 
the  history  of  the  progress  of  religion,  is,  that  the  new  formed 
settlements  of  the  wilderness,  which  are  generally  composed 
of  all  descriptions  of  characters,  and  with  a  large  proportion  of 
the  irreligious  and  profane,  have  been  made  to  feel  the  reviv- 
ing influence  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  rising  upon  them,  in 
the  wonderful  effusions  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  And  thus  by  the 
wise  and  gracious  care  of  the  Redeemer  of  the  church,  mate- 
rials are  there  formed  for  the  organization  of  the  church,  and 
the  perpetual  celebration  of  its  ordinances.  Without  this  di- 
vine influence,  the  new  settlements,  would  probably,  in  a  suc- 
cessions of  years,  degenerate  into  heathenish  ignorance  and 
barbarism.  Instances  might  be  adduced  to  elucidate  these  re- 
marks. I  will  only  remind  the  christian  reader,  of  the  late 
marvellous  work  of  God,  throughout  the  widely  extended  set- 
tlements beyond  the  Allegany  Mountains,  in  the  middle  and 
southern  states,  where  the  labours  of  christian  missionaries,  and 
settled  ministers,  have  been  wonderfully  blessed,  and  multitudes 
of  churches  gathered  to  Christ.  Thus,  to  the  joy  and  praise 
of  Zion,  the  great  Redeemer,  fulfils  his  gracious  promise,  L^t 
the  wilderness  and  the  cities  thereof  lift  up  their  voice  :  let  the  in- 
habitants of  the  rock  sing,  let  them  shout  from  the  top  of  the  mqun- 
tains.* 

*  Isaiah  xlii.  IL 


NOTES.  173 

Note  (c)  page  15. 

Within  the  limits  of  New  England,  were  the  remains  of  sev- 
eral Tribes.  They  were  the  Mohegans  in  Cowiecticut  ;  the 
Narragansets  in  Rhode  Island  ;  the  Housatonnuc,  the  Cape  Cod 
and  Marthas  Vineyard  Indians  in  Massachusetts ;  the  Penobscois 
in  the  Province  of  Maine.  Beyond  those  limits,  were  the 
Montauks  on  Long  Island ;  and  the  Delaiimres,  in  Neiv  Jersey, 
and  on  the  Susquehanna.  These  nations,  which  at  the  first  set- 
tlement of  New  England,  could  bring  several  thousand  warriors 
into  the  field,  were  reduced  to  about  five  hundred  families. 
To  the  westward,  were  the  Iroquois,  or  Six  Nations,  containing 
between  five  and  six  thousand  souls.  Still  further  west  and 
south,  were  the  more  numerous  tribes  of  Hurons,  Wiandots, 
Delawares  of  the  Ohio,  Shawanese,  Chippeivas  and  Miami.  And 
far  south  were  the  Cherokees,  Creeks,  Chicasatus,  Chactaws,  S^c, 

The  further  we  advance  westerly  and  southerly,  the  Indians 
were  found  to  be  still  more  numerous  than  near  the  borders  of 
the  English  settlements.  The  approach  of  the  latter,  lessened 
the  wild  game,  and  consequently,  the  number  of  Indians  were 
reduced. 

The  dark  clouds  of  gross  paganism  enveloped  these  nations, 
excepting  a  confused  gleam  of  the  light  of  Christianity,  which 
had  been  let  in  upon  some  of  them,  by  protestant  missionaries, 
principally  from  Neiv  England ;  and  by  Romish  priests  from 
Canada  and  Louisiana.  It  is  remarkable  that  as  by  natural 
increase  the  English  in  America  have  doubled  their  numbers 
in  periods  of  twenty  five  years,  the  Indians  among,  and  bor- 
dering upon  them,  have  diminished  nearly  in  the  same  propor- 
tion inversed.  The  writers  of  our  Indian  wars,  mention  that 
the  Narragansets,  contained  in  1625,  about  two  thousand  war- 
riors. By  the  above  rule  of  diminution,  in  six  periods  of  twen- 
ty five  years,  bringing  us  to  the  year  1775,  they  would  be 
reduced  to  thirty,  which  was  about  the  true  number.  Various 
causes  are  assigned  for  their  decrease  ;  but  none  satisfactory. 
Must  we  not  ascribe  it  to  the  sovereign  pleasure  of  the  Most 


1 74?  NOTES. 

*  High,  who  divides  to  the  nations  their  inheritance  •  who  put- 
teth  down  one  and  raiseth  up  another  ? 

The  Indians  do  not  migrate  and  form  distinct  colonies  :  they 
die  away,  or  disappear  from  the  places  where  they  are. 

The  historian  of  the  District  of  Maine,*  speaking  of  the 
Indians  in  those  parts,  observes  ;  "  Of  the  various  tribes  which 
"  once  overspread  the  wilderness  of  Accidie,  and  Maine,  there 
**  remain  only  seven  individuals  of  the  Norridgeiuocks,  and  less 
*'  than  three  hundred  of  the  Penohscots.  The  tribe  last  men- 
"  tioned  are  extremely  anxious  at  the  idea  of  becoming  extinct. 
*'  They  cause  their  children  to  intermarry  while  they  are 
**  young ;  they  wean  their  infants  early ;  and  do  every  thing 
*'  within  their  power,  the  practice  of  temperance  excepted,  to 
*' preserve  their  number^;  but  all  is  in  vain.^  A  few  years 
*'  more  will  oblige  the  philosopher  to  content  himself  with  the 
"  history  of  the  lavage  life  only,  for  there  will  be  no  examples 
"  to  be  seen." 

It  is  however  to  be  hoped,  that  an  exception  will  be  found 
to  the  foregoing  remarks,  in  the  Neiv  England  Indians,  who 
removed  about  the  year  1786,  into  the  Oneida  country.  The 
Eev.  Mr.  Sargcant,  son  of  the  Kev.  Jolin  Sargeant,  accompanied 
the  Stockbridge  Indians,  as  their  minister;  and  the  Rev.  Samp- 
son Occum,  those  of  Mohegan  and  Narragansei.  They  are  pro- 
fessors of  the  christian  religion,  and  several  families  of  them, 
support  themselves  by  agriculture.  Mr.  Occum  was  generally 
respected  through  life,  and  was  esteemed  a  pious  man  by  min- 
isters and  christians  universally.  He  died  of  an  apoplexy  at 
New  Stockbridge,  Oneida,  July  1792,  aged  about  63  years.-/- 

The  following  letter  from  him,  to  a  respectable  gentleman, 
Mr.  Robert  Keen  of  London,  is  added  as  a  sample  of  the  style 
and  spirit  of  the  writer. 

*  Sullivaa. 


NOTES.  1 75 

3Iohegan,  Sept.  27,  17G8. 
Most  Worthy  Sir, 

Doubtless  you  have  heard  of  ray  sickness  on  board  of 
ship.  I  was  taken  ill  two  or  three  days  after  I  got  on  board, 
and  was  severely  handled  with  it,  fpur  weeks,  to  that  degree, 
that  I  was  in  a  delirium  for  some  days;  the  Captain  expected 
nothing  but  to  cast  me  overboard  in  a  short  time  ;  and  we  had 
a  rough  passage,  contrary  winds  most  of  the  way  over;  by  the 
goodness  of  God,  I  began  to  amend  at  the  end  of  the  four 
weeks,  and  grew  strong  very  fast.  We  were  eight  weeks  tossed 
to  and  fro  on  the  mighty  ocean.  On  Frida}-,  in  the  afternoon, 
we  landed  at  Boston  to  our  great  joy,  and  to  the  joy  of  our 
friends :  Oh  what  joy  will  it  be  to  christians  to  arrive  safely  at 
last,  at  tTie  haven  of  the  New  Jerusalem.  The  next  morning 
I  took  horse  and  went  on  my  way  homeward.  Tuesday  fol- 
lowing, I  reached  home  about  two  o'clock,  P.  M.  And  by 
the  infinite  goodness  of  God,  found  my  poor  family  in  a  good 
state  of  health,  except  my  wife,  who  had  been  in  a  poor  de- 
clining way  above  a  year,  and  she  is  still  in  a  bad  state  of 
heath :  she  has  had  two  sudden  severe  ill  turns  since  I  have 
been  at  home.  A  few  days  ago  we  did  not  expect  her  life 
many  hours,  but  by  the  pure  mercy  of  God  she  is  now  much 
better. 

I  have  been  to  several  places  of  Indians  this  summer,  round 
about  here,  and  they  all  receive  me  Vv'lth  gladness  and  tender 
affection.  They  are  very  thankful  to  hear  the  benevolent  dis- 
positions of  christians,  over  the  mighty  waters,  by  freely  con- 
tribtiting  their  substance  towards  the  instruction  of  the  poor 
Indians  of  North  America.  They  hope  by  this  means  their 
poor  children's  eyes  may  be  opened,  that  they  may  see  with 
their  own  eyes.  I  had  four  Oneida  Indians  come  to  see  me, 
some  time  last  July,  and  they  manifested  thankfulness  at  my 
return.  They  were  greatly  affected  to  hear  the  good  report  I 
gave  them  of  the  people  in  the  old  christian  countries, — Were 
ver\*  urgent  to  have  me  go  amongst  them  this  summer  past. 


i76  !s^6te^ 

but  I  told  them  I  had  been  gone  so  long  from  home,  I  thought 
it  duty  to  stay  at  home  this  year,  and  if  I  live  to  see  another 
spring,  I  will  give  tliem  a  long  visit,  and  they  went  away  sat- 
isfied.    I  am  now  writing  a  short  narrative  of  my  life.* ■ 

Doctor  Whcelock's  school  prospers  as  heretofore,  and  the  Indians 
are  still  willing  to  send  their  children.  I  am  afraid,  the  Dutch 
and  French  near  the  Indians  are  trying  all  they  can  to  preju- 
dice the  Indians  against  the  school  and  against  the  English  : 
but  if  this  work  is  of  God,  he  will  carry  it  on.  1  trust  the 
Lord  will  not  forsake  his  people  in  these  parts. 

Sincere  respects  to  you  and  yours,  and  grateful  respects  to 
our  worthy  Trustees.  I  am,  much  esteemed  Sir,  your  most 
obedient  servant,  SAMPSON  OCCUM. 

Mr.  Robert  Keen. 


Note  (d)  page  18. 

Six  years  before  Mr.  Wheelock  began  his  Indian  School  at 
Lebanon  ;  the  Rev.  John  Sargeant,  a  gentleman  of  eminent  piety, 
learning,  and  zeal  to  spread  the  knowledge  of  the  Redeemer 
among  the  Indians,  had  projected,  what  he  called  a  Boarding 
School  for  the  education  of  Indian  children  at  Housatonnuc, 
where  he  was  missionary.  He  made  some  progress  m  the  bu- 
siness. Several  generous  benefactors  encouraged  his  benevo- 
lent work.  The  prospect  of  success  was  pleasing.  The  Rev. 
Isaac  Hollis  of  London,  was  at  the  whole  expence  of  the  cloth-* 
ing,  board,  and  schooling,  of  upwards  of  thirty  children,  nearly 
one  year.  Such  was  the  pious  munificence  of  that  good  man  ! 
The  school  was  under  the  immediate  care  of  Mr.  Timothy 
Woodhridgc  and  Capt.  Martin  Kellogg ;  and  a  skilful  mistress 
superintended  the  education  of  the  female  children.  But  the 
church  and  world  were  suddenly  deprived   of  the  worthy  Mr. 

*  Mr.  Occum  published  one  or  two  sermons^  and  a  collection  of 
devotional  Hymns,  which  werG  well  approved.  The  narrative  of  his 
Ijfe,  has  ngt  appeared. 


# 
NOTES.  1 77 

Sargecmf,  who  died  in  the  vigor  of  life,  and  before  there  was  op. 
portunity  to  make  much  trial  of  his  design.*  And  tlie  insti- 
tution died  with  him  ;  for  no  one  appeared,  at  that  time,  pos- 
sessed of  the  same  spirit,  to  take  it  up.  Mr.  ^Vheelock's  plan 
differed  in  an  essential  circumstance  from  Mr.  S(irgeant's  The 
Charity  School  of  the  latter  was  set  up  among  the  Indians  : 
Mr.  Wheelock's  was  set  up  among  the  English,  and  with  the 
wise  design  to  draw  the  children  quite  away  from  all  inter- 
course with  their  savage  countrymen,  until  their  education 
should  be  completed  It  was  his  purpose  to  instruct  them  ia 
all  the  necessary  branches  of  learning,  for  the  common  busi- 
ness of  life  ;  to  select  the  most  promising,  for  an  academic 
education,  and  qualify  them  for  instructors,  as  preachers  of 
the  gospel,  or  school  masters ;  and  also  to  have  a  number  of 
them  taught  practical  agriculture,  and  useful  mechanical  arts. 


Note  (e)  page  20, 

The  following  extract  of  a  letter  from  the  Rev.  WUUam 
Paiten  of  Neivpori,  grandson  of  Dr.  Wheelock,  to  the  author,  elu- 
cidates the  first  motive  of  the  founder  of  this  charitable  de- 
sign; and  shews  that  small  circumstances  in  Providence,  oc- 
curring to  generous  minds,  may  be  the  spring  of  noble  enter- 
prises. 

*'  On6  evening,  after  a  religious  conference   with  a 

number  of  his  people  at  Lebanon,  he  walked  out,  as  he  usually 
did,  on  summer  evenings,  for  meditation  and  prayer  ;  and  in 
his  retirement,  liis  attention  was  led  to  the  neglect  of  his 
people  in  providing  for  his  support;  and  to  the  reason  why 
they  were  left  to  so  great  blindness  and  unfaithfulness,  in  this 
respect.  It  occurred  to  him,  with  peculiar  clearness,  that  if 
they  furnished  him  with  but  half  a  living,  they  were  entitled 
to  no  more  than  half  of  his  labors.  And  he  concluded,  that 
they  were  left  to  such  neglect,  to  teach  him,  that  part  of  his 

*  Life  of  Mr.  Sareeant,  by  the  Rev.  S  amuel  Hopkins  of  Springfield, 
J23 


178  KOTES. 

labors  ought  to  be  directed  to  other  objects.  He  then  inquir- 
ed, what  objects  were  most  in  want  of  assistance  ?  And  it  oc- 
curred to  him  almost  instantaneously,  that  the  Indians  were  the 
most  proper  objects  of  the  charitable  attention  of  christians. 
He  then  determined  to  devote  half  of  his  time  to  them ;  and 
laid  the  plan  of  applying  for  a  number  of  their  children,  by 
the  medium  of  Sir  William  Johnson.  This  plan  he  soon  car- 
ried into  effect,  and  was  succeeded  in  it ;  and  from  this  be- 
ginning arose  Moor's  School  and  Dartmouth  College. 

I  recollect  hearing  him  say,  that  God  graciously  smiled  up- 
on his  plans  and  expectations  in  general  ;  and  that  he  com- 
monly proceeded  in  measures  which  he  thought  expedient,  with 
the  same  confidence  as  though  he  had  a  fund  at  hand.  He 
particularly  mentioned,  that  from  accounts  received  at  a  cer- 
tain time,  from  his  missionaries  and  school  masters,  in  the  wil- 
derness, it  appeared  highly  important  that  two  more  persons 
should  be  sent  immediately  to  their  assistance.  He  according- 
ly selected  two,  and  purchased  what  was  necessary  to  accom- 
modate them  for  the  journey,  and  determined  on  Friday  for  their 
setting  out,  though  he  was  then  destitute  of  money,  and  knew 
not  in  what  way  it  could  be  obtained  ; — In  this  suspence  he 
continued  until  Thursday  evening,  still  believing  that  provision 
would  be  made,  so  that  the  young  men  would  commence  their 
journey  in  the  morning.  That  evening  a  person  came  to  his 
house  from  Neiu  Jersey,  with  a  sum  collected  from  a  number  of 
christian  friends,  amply  suificient  for  the  object  in  view." 


I^ote  (f)  page  22. 
Exti-act  from  a  recoininendatory  letter. 
*'  WE,  ministers  of  the  gospel,  and  pastors  of  churches  here- 
after mentioned,  having  for  a  number  of  years  past  heard  of, 
or  seen  with  pleasure,  the  zeal,  courage,  and  resolution  of  the 
Kev.  Eleazar  JVheelock,  of  Lebanon,  to  prosecute  to  effect  a  de- 
sign of  spreading  the  gospel  among  the  natives  in  the  wilds  of 


NOTES.  1 79 

our  America,  and  especially  his  perseverance  in  it,  amidst  the 
many  peculiar  discouragements,  he  had  to  encounter  during  the 
late  years  of  the  war  here,  and  upon  a  plan  which  appears  to 
us  to  have  the  greatest  probability  of  success,  viz.  by  the  mis- 
sion of  their  own  sons. 

"  We  look  upon  it  our  duty  as  christians  and  ministers  of 
the  gospel,  to  give  our  testimony,  that  as  we  believe  a  disinter- 
ested regard  to  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  Kingdom, 
and  th©  good  of  his  Majesty's  dominions  in  America,  were  the 
governing  motives,  which  at  iirst  induced  the  Rev.  Mr.  Wheelock 
to  enter  upon  the  great  aflair,  and  to  risk  his  private  interest  in 
carrying  it  on  ;  so  we  esteem  his  plan  to  be  good,  his  measures 
prudently  and  well  concerted ;  his  endowments  peculiar ;  his 
zeal  fervent,  and  his  endeavors  indefatigable  for  accomplishing 
this  design. 

'•'  And  we  apprehend  that  the  generous  donations  already 
made  have  been,  and  we  are  confident  will  be,  laid  out  in  the 
most  prudent  manner,  and  with  the  best  advice,  for  the  fur- 
therance of  the  important  design.  And  we  pray  God  abun- 
dantly to  reward  the  liberality  of  any  upon  this  occasion,  and 
that  in  consequence  .thereof,  the  wide  extended  wilderness  of 
America,  may  blossom  as  the  rose ;  habitations  of  cruelty  become 
divelling  places  of  righteousness  ;  and  the  blessi}igs  of  thousands  rea- 
dy to  perish,  come  upon  all  those,  whose  love  to  Christ,  and  charity 
to  the  heathen,  has  been  shown  upon  this  occasion." 

Ebenezer  Rosseter,  Pastor  of  the  first  Church  in  Stonington. 

Joseph  Fish,  Second  Church  in  Stonington. 

Nathaniel  Whitaker,  Church  in  Chelsea.    . 

Benjamin  Pomeroy,  First  Church  in  Hebron. 

Elijah  Lothrop,  *                             Church  in  Gilead. 

Nathaniel  Eel  Is,  Church  in  Stonington. 

Mather  Byles,  First  Church  in  New  London. 

Jonathan  Barber,  Church  in  Groton. 

Matthew  Graves,  Missionary  at  New  London. 

Peter  Powers,  Church  in  Newent. 


180 


NOTES. 


Daniel  Kirtlaiid, 
Asher  Rosseter, 
Jabez  Wight, 
David  Jewett, 
Benjamin  Throop, 
Samuel  Mosely, 
Sle|.)hen  White, 
Richard  Salter, 
Timothy  Allen, 
Ephraim  Little, 
Hobart  Estabrook, 
Joseph  Fowler, 
Benjamin  Boaidman, 
John  Norton, 
Benjamin  Dunning, 


Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Newent. 

First  Church  in  Preston. 

Fourth  Church  in  Norwich. 

Second  Church  in  New  London. 

Church  in  Norwich. 

Church  in  Windham. 

Church  in  Windham. 

Church  in  Mansfield. 

Church  in  Ashford. 

First  Church  in  Colshester. 

Church  in  East  Haddam. 

Church  in  East  Haddam. 

Fourth  Church  in  Middletown. 

Sixth  Church  in  Middletown. 

Church  in  Marlborough. 


Note  (g)  page  36. 
CHARTER  OF 

DARTMOUTH  COLLEGE. 

GEORGE  the   Third,  hy  the  grace  of  GOD.  of  Great  Britain, 

France  and  Ireland,  King,  Defender  of  the  Faith,  Sfc. 

To  all  to  whom  these  presents  shall  come.  Greeting. 

WHEREAS  it  hath  been  represented  to  our  trusty  and  well- 
beloved  John  Wentworth,  Esq.  Governor  and  Commander  in 
Chief,  in  and  over  our  province  of  New  Hampshire,  in  New 
England  in  America,  that  the  Rev.  Eleazar  Wheelock  of  Le- 
banon, in  the  colony  of  Connecticut,  in  New  England  afore- 
said, now  Doctor  in  divinity,  did,  on  or  about  the  year  of  our 
Lord,  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty  four,  at  his  own  ex- 
pence,  on  his  own  estate  and  plantation,  set  on  foot  an  Indian 
Charity  School,  and  for  several  years,  through  the  assistance  of 
well  disposed  persons  iu  America,  cloathed,  maintained  and 


NOTES.  181 

educated  a  number  of  the  children  of  the  Indian  natives,  with  a 
view  to  tiieir  canning  the  gospel  in  their  own  language,  and 
spreading  the  knowledge  of  the  great  Redeemer  among  their  sa- 
vage tribes,  and  hath  actually  employed  a  number  of  them  as 
Missionaries  and  School  Masters  in  the  wilderness  for  that  pur- 
pose. And  by  the  blessing  of  God  upon  the  endeavors  of  said 
Wheelock,  the  design  became  reputable  among  the  Indians,  in- 
somuch that  a  larger  number  desired  the  education  of  their  chfl- 
dren  in  said  School,  and  were  also  disposed  to  receive  mission- 
aries and  school  masters  in  the  wilderness,  more  than  could  be 
supported  by  the  charitable  contributions  in  these  American 
colonies. 

Whereupon  the  said  Eleazar  Wheelock,  thought  it  expedient 
that  endeavors  should  be  used  to  raise  contributions  from  well 
disposed  persons  in  England,  for  the  carrying  on  and  extend- 
ing said  undertaking,  and  for  that  purpose  said  Eleazar  Whee- 
lock,  requested  the  Rev.  Nathaniel  Whitaker,  now  Doctor  in 
Divinity,  to  go  over  to  England  for  that  purpose,  and  sent  over 
with  him  the  Rev.  Sampson  Occum,  an  Indian  minister,  who  had 
been  educated  by  the  said  Wheelock.  And  to  enable  the  said 
Whitaker,  to  the  more  successful  performance  of  said  work  on 
which  he  was  sent,  said  Wheelock  gave  him  a  full  power  of 
attorney,  by  which  said  Vv  hitaker  solicited  those  worthy  and 
generous  contributors  to  charity,  viz^  the  Right  Hon.  William 
Earl  of  Dartmouth,  the  Hon.  Sir  Sidney  Staflbrd  Smythe, 
Knight,  one  of  the  Barons  of  his  Majesty's  Court  of  Exchequer, 
John  Thornton,  of  Clapham,  in  the  county  of  Surrey,  Esq. 
Samuel  Rofley,  of  Lincoln's  Innfields,  in  the  county  of  Middle- 
sex, Esq.  Charles  Hardey,  of  the  parish  of  St.  Mary-le-bonne, 
in  said  county,  Esq.  Daniel  West,  of  Christ's  Church,  Spital- 
fieids,  in  the  county  aforesaid,  Esq.  Samuel  Savage,  of  the  same 
place,  gentleman  ;  Josiah  Robarts,  of  the  parish  of  St.  Edmund 
the  King,  Lombard  Street,  London,  gentleman,  and  Robert 
Keen,  of  the  parish  of  St.  Botolph,  Aldgate,  London,  gentle- 
man; to  receive  the  several  sums  of  money  which  should  be 


1 82  NOTES. 

contributed,  and  to  be  trustees  to  the  contributors  to  such  cha- 
rity :  which  they  cheerfully  agreed  to. 

Whereupon,  the  said  Whitaker  did,  by  virtue. of  said  power 
of  attorney,  constitute  and  appoint  the  said  Earl  of  Dartmouth, 
Sir  Sidney  Saflord  Smyth,  John  Thornton,  Samuel  Rofley, 
Charles  Hardey,  and  Daniel  West,  Esquires,  and  Samuel  Sa- 
vage, Josiah  Robarts,  and  Robert  Keen,  gentlemen,  to  be  trus- 
tees of  the  money  which  had  then  been  contributed,  and  which 
should  by  his  means  be  contributed  for  said  purpose  ;  which 
trust  they  have  accepted,  as  by  their  engrossed  declaration  of 
the  same  under  their  hands  and  seals,  well  executed  fully  ap- 
pears, and  the  same  hath  also  been  ratified  by  a  deed  of  trust, 
well  executed  by  said  Wheelock. 

And  the  said  Wheelock  further  represents,  that  he  has,  by 
a  power  of  attorney,  for  many  weighty  reasons,  given  full  pow- 
er to  the  said  trustees,  to  fix  upon  and  determine  the  place  for 
said  school,  most  subservient  to  the  great  end  in  view.  And  to 
enable  them  understand ingly  to  give  the  preference,  the  said 
Wheelock  has  laid  before  the  said  trustees  the  several  oft'ers 
which  have  been  generously  made  in  the  several  governments 
in  America  to  encourage  and  invite  the  settlement  of  said 
school  among  them  for  their  own  private  emolument,  and  for 
the  increase  of  learning  in  their  respective  places,  as  well  as 
for  the  furtherance  of  the  general  design  in  view. 

And  whereas  a  large  number  of  the  proprietors  of  lands  in 
the  western  part  of  this  our  province  of  New  Hampshire,  ani- 
mated and  excited  thereto  by  the  generous  example  of  his  Ex- 
cellency their  Governor,  and  by  the  liberal  contributions  of 
many  noblemen  and  gentlemen  in  England,  and  especially  by 
the  consideration  that  such  a  situation  would  be  as  convenient 
as  any  for  carrying  on  the  great  design  among  the  Indians ; 
and  also  considering  that  without  the  least  impediment  to  the 
said  design,  the  same  school  may  be  enlarged  and  improved  to 
promote  learning  among  the  English,  and  be  a  means  to  sup- 
ply a  great  nuoiber  of  churches  and  congregations  which  are 


KOTES.  183 

likely  soon  to  be  formed  in  tliat  new  country,  with  a  learned 
and  orthodox  ministry,  they  the  said  proprietors  have  promised 
large  tracts  of  land  for  the  uses  aforesaid,  provided  the  school 
shall  be  settled  in  the  western  part  of  our  said  province. 

And  they  the  said  Right  Hon.  Hon.  and  worthy  trustees  before 
mentioned,  having  maturely  considered  the  reasons  and  argu- 
ments in  favor  of  the  several  places  proposed,  have  given  the 
preference  to  the  western  part  of  our  said  province,  lying  on 
Connecticut  river,  as  a  ^situation  most  convenient  for  said 
school. 

And  the  said  Wheelock  has  further  represented  a  necessity 
of  a  legal  incorporation,  in  order  to  the  safety  and  well  being 
of  said  seminary,  and  its  being  capable  of  the  tenure  and  dis- 
posal of  lands  and  bequests  for  the  use  of  the  same.  And  the 
said  Wheelock  has  also  represented,  that  for  many  weighty  rea- 
sons, it  will  be  expedient,  at  least  in  the  infancy  of  said  insti- 
tution, or  till  it  can  be  accommodated  in  that  new  country,  and 
he  and  his  friends  be  able  to  remove  and  settio  by  and  round 
about  it,  that  the  gentlemen  whom  he  has  already  nominated 
in  his  lust  will  (which  he  has  transmitted  to  the  aforesaid  gen- 
tlemen of  the  trust  in  England)  to  be  trustees  in  America,  should 
be  of  the  corporation  now  proposed.  And  also  as  there  are 
already  large  collections  for  said  school  in  the  hands  of  the 
aforesaid  gentlemen  of  the  trust  in  England,  and  all  reason  to 
believe  from  their  signal  wisdom,  piety,  and  zeal,  to  promote 
the  Redeemer's  cause  (which  has  already  procured  for  them 
the  utmost  confidence  of  the  kingdom)  we  may  expect  they 
will  appoint  successors  in  time  to  come,  who  will  be  men  of 
the  same  spirit,  whereby  great  good  may  and  will  accrue  ma- 
ny ways  to  the  institution,  and  much  be  done  by  their  exam- 
ple and  influence  to  encourage  and  facilitate  the  whole  design 
in  view.  For  which  reasons  said  Wheelock  desires  that  the 
trustees  aforesaid,  may  be  vested  with  all  that  power  therein 
which  can  consist  with  their  distance  from  the  same. 

Know  ye  therefore  that  We,  considering  the  premises  and  be- 
ing willing  to  encourage   the   laudable  design  of   spreading 


1 84  NOTES. 

christian  knowledge  amoiijL^  the  savages  of  our  American  wil- 
derness. And  also  that  Ihe  best  means  of  education  l)e  estab- 
lished in  our  province  of  New  Hampshire,  for  tlie  benefit  of 
said  province,  do,  of  our  special  grace,  certain  knowledjxe  and 
mere  motion,  l)y  and  with  the  advice  of  our  council  for  said 
province,  by  these  presents  will,  ordain,  grant  and  cimsi'lute 
that  llien^  be  a  college  erected  in  our  said  province  of  New 
Ilauipshire,  by  llie  nurnc;  of  Dari/nouih  CoUcirc,  for  the  educa- 
tion and  instruction  of  youths  of  the  Indian  tribes  in  this  land, 
in  rtiading,  writing,  and  all  |)arLs  of  learning,  \Ahi(h  sliall  ap- 
pear necessary  and  expedient,  for  civilizing  and  christianizing 
the  children  of|)agans,  as  well  as  in  all  liberal  arts  and  sciences, 
and  also  of  I'jiglisb  youths,  and  any  others.  And  the  trustees 
of  said  college;  may,  and  shall  be,  one  body  corporate  and  po- 
litic in  d(;ed,  action  and  name,  and  shall  be  calU;(l,  named,  and 
distinguished  by  the  name   of  Tlic  Trustees  of  Darimoulh   Col" 

And  further.  We  have  willed,  given,  granted,  constituted 
and  ordained,  and  by  this  our  present  charter,  of  our  special, 
grace,  certain  knowledge  and  mere  motion,  with  the  advice 
aforesaid,  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors  forever,  will,  give, 
grant,  constitute,  and  ordain,  that  there  shall  from  henceforth 
and  forever,  l)e  in  the  said  Dartmouth  College,  a  body  politic, 
consisting  of  'J'rustees  of  Dartmouth  CJolhtge.  And  ior  the 
more  full  and  perfect  erection  of  said  Corporation  and  body 
politic,  consisting  of  Trustees  of  Dartmouth  College,  We,  of 
our  special  grace,  certain  knowledge  and  mi^re  motion,  do,  by 
thi\se  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  make,  ordain,  con- 
stituteand  appoint,  oiu'  trusty  and  well  beloved  JohnWentworth^ , 
l'!s(|uire,  (iovernor  of  our  said  province,  and  the  governor  of  our 
.said  province;  of  New  Hampshire,  for  the  time  beiiig,  and  our 
trusty  and  well  beloved  'J'heodore  Atkinson,  llscjuire,  now  pre- 
sident of  our  council  of  our  said  province,  (ieorge  Jalliey  and 
J)aMiil  l*i(;rce,  l'".s(ps.  both  of  our  said  council,  and  IN  tcr  (iilman 
Esip  now  Speaker  of  our  House  of  Representatives  in  said  |)ro- 
vince,  and  William  Pilkin,  Esej.  one  of  the  Assistants  of  our  col- 


NOTESv  1 85 

ony  of  Connecticut,  and  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  Ele.izar 
Wheelotk,  of  Lebanon,  Doctor  in  divinity,  Iknjainin  Ponieroy, 
of  Hebron,  James  Lockwood,  of  Weathersfield,  Timothy  Pitkia 
and  Jolm  Snialley,  ot  Parmington,  and  William  Patten  of 
Hartford,  all  of  our  said  cclony  of  Connecticut,  ministers  of 
the  gos|)el  (the  whole  number  of  said  trustees  consisting,  and 
hereafter  forever  to  consist,  of  twelve  and  no  more)  to  be 
trustees  of  said  Dartmouth  College,  in  this  our  |jrovmce  of  Xew 
Hampshire. 

And  We  do  further,  of  our  si-ecial  grace,  certain  knowledge 
and  mere  motion,  for  ns,  our  heirs  and  successors,  will,  give, 
grant  and  ap|joint  that  the  said  trustees  and  their  successors 
shall,  forever  hereafter,  be  in  deed,  act  and  name,  a  body  cor- 
porate and  politic,  aiul  thut  tiny  the  said  body  corporate  and 
poliiic,  shall  be  known  and  distinguished  in  all  deeds,  grants, 
bargains,  sales,  writin^s,  evidences  or  otherwise  however,  and 
in  ail  courts  forever  hereafter  pU-Lid  and  be  inijjleaded  by  the 
name  of  The  Trustees  of  Dartmoiilli  College.  And  that  the  said 
corporation  by  the  name  aforesaid,  shall  be  able  and  in  law  ca- 
pable for  the  use  of  said  Dartmouth  College,  to  have,  get,  ac- 
quire, purchase,  receive,  hold,  possess  and  enjoy,  tenements, 
hereditaments,  jurisdictions  and  franchises  for  themselves  and 
their  successors,  in  fee  simple  or  otherwise  however,  and  to  pur- 
chase, receive,  or  build  any  house  or  houses,  or  any  other 
buildings,  as  they  shall  think  needful  and  convenient  for  the 
Mse  of  said  Dartmouth  College,  and  in  such  town  in  the  western 
pan  of  our  said  pr<»vince  of  New  Ham|)shire,  as  shall,  by  said 
trustees,  or  the  major  part  of  thum  be  agreed  upon,  their  said 
agre  'ment  to  be  evidenced  by  an  instrument  in  writing  under 
their  hands  aseertaiiiing  the  same.  And  also  to  receive  and 
^Jispose  of  any  lands,  goods,  chattels  and  other  things  (jf  what 
nature  soever,  for  the  use  aforesaid.  And  also  to  have,  accept 
and  receive  any  rents,  profits,  annuities,  gifts,  legacies,  dona- 
tions or  bequests  of  any  kind  whatsoever  for  the  use  aforesaid  : 
so  nevertheless,  that  tin-  yiarly  value  of  the  premises  do  not 
CiKceed  ilie  sum  of  six  thousand  pounds  sterling.     And  there- 

24 


3  86  NOTES. 

with  or  otherwise  to  support  and  pay,  as  the  said  trustees,  or 
the  major  part  of  such  of  them  as  are  regularly  convened  for 
that  purpose,  shall  agree  ;  the  president,  tutors,  and  other  of- 
ficers and  ministers  of  said  Dartmouth  College,  and  also  to  pay, 
all  such  missionaries  and  school  masters  as  shall  be  authorized, 
appointed  and  employed  by  them  for  civilizing,  christianizing 
and  instructing  the  Indian  natives  of  this  land,  their  several  al- 
lowances, and  also  their  respective  annual  salleries  or  allow- 
ances, and  also  such  necessary  and  contingent  charges,  as  from 
time  to  time  shall  arise  and  accrue,  relating  to  said  Dartmouth 
College.  And  also  to  bargain,  sell,  let  or  assign  lands,  tene- 
ments, hereditaments,  goods  or  chattels,  and  all  other  things 
whatsoever,  by  the  name  aforesaid,  in  as  full  and  ample  a  man- 
ner, to  all  intents  and  purposes  as  a  natural  person  or  other  bo- 
dy corporate  or  politic,  is  able  to  do  by  the  laws  of  our  realm 
of  Great  Britain,  or  of  said  province  of  New  Hampshire. 

And  further,  of  our  special  grace,  certain  knowledge  and 
mere  motion,  to  the  intent  that  our  said  corporation  and  body 
politic,  may  answer  the  end  of  their  erection  and  constitution, 
and  may  have  perpetual  succession  and  continuance  forever. 
We  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  will,  give  and  grant  un- 
to the  said  trustees  of  Dartmouth  College,  and  to  their  succes- 
sors forever,  that  there  shall  be  once  a  year,  and  every  year, 
a  meeting  of  said  trustees,  held  at  said  Dartmouth  College,  at 
such  time  as  by  said  trustees,  or  the  major  part  of  them,  at  any 
legal  meeting  of  said  trustees  shall  be  agreed  on.  The  first 
meeting  to  be  called  by  the  said  Eleazar  Wheelock,  as  soon  as 
conveniently  may  be,  within  one  year  next  after  the  enrol- 
ment of  these  our  letters  patent,  at  such  time  and  place  as  he 
shall  judge  proper.  And  the  said  trustees,  or  the  major  part 
of  any  seven  or  more  of  them,  shall  then  determine  on  the  time 
for  holding  the  annual  meeting  aforesaid,  which  may  be  al- 
tered as  they  shall  hereafter  find  most  convenient. 

And  We  do  further  ordain  and  direct,  that  the  said  Eleazar 
Wheelock  shall  notify  the  time  for  holding  the  first  meeting  ta 


KOTES.  1 87 

be  called  as  aforesaid,  by  send  lug  a  letter  to  each  of  said  trus- 
tees, and  causing  an  advertisement  thereof  to  be  printed  in  the 
New  Hampshire  Gazette,  and  in  some  public  newspaper  print- 
ed in  the  colony  of  Connecticut.  But  in  case  of  the  death  or  in- 
capacity of  said  Wheelock,  then  such  meeting  to  be  notified  in 
manner  as  aforesaid,  by  the  Governor  or  Commander  in  Chief 
of  our  said  province  for  the  time  being. 

And  We  also,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  hereby  will, 
give  and  grant  unto  the  said  trustees  of  Dartmouth  College  a- 
foresaid,  and  to  their  successors  forever,  that  when  any  seven 
or  more  of  the  said  trustees  or  their  successors  are  convened 
and  met  together  for  the  service  of  said  Dartmouth  College,  at 
any  time  or  times,  such  seven  or  more  shall  be  capable  to  act 
as  fully  and  amply  to  all  intents  and  purposes,  as  if  all  the 
trustees  of  said  College  were  personally  present;  and  all  affairs 
and  actions  whatsoever,  under  the  care  of  said  trustees,  shall  be 
determined  by  the  majority  or  greater  number  of  those  seven 
or  more  trustees,  so  convened  and  met  together. 

And  We  do  further  will,  ordain  and  direct,  that  the  presi- 
dent, trustees,  professors,  and  tutors,  and  all  such  officers  as 
shall  be  appointed  for  the  public  instruction  and  government 
of  said  College,  shall,  before  they  undertake  the  execution  of 
their  respective  offices  or  trusts,  or  within  one  year  after,  take 
the  oaths  and  subscribe  the  declaration,  provided  by  an  act  of 
Parliament,  made  in  the  first  year  of  king  George  the  fii  st,  en- 
titled. An  act  for  the  further  security  of  his  Majesty's  person  and 
government,  and  the  succession  of  the  Crown  in  the  heirs  of  the  late 
Princess  Sophia  being  protestants,  and  for  the  extinguishing  the 
hopes  of  the  pretended  Prince  of  Wales,  and  his  open  and  secret 
abettors,  that  is  to  say,  the  president  before  the  governor  of  our 
said  province  for  the  time  being,  or  by  one  empowered  by  him 
to  that  service,  or  b\^  the  president  of  our  council,  and  the  trus- 
tees, professors,  tutors  and  other  officers  before  the  president  of 
said  college,  for  the  time  being,  who  is  hereby  empowered  to 
administer  the  same  :  an  entry  of  all  which  shall  be  made  in 
the  records  of  the  said  college. 


188  NOTESl 

And  We  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  hereby  will, 
give  and  grant  full  power  and  authority  to  the  president,  here- 
after bv  us  named,  and  to  his  successors,  or  in  case  of  his  fail- 
ure, to  any  three  or  more  of  said  trustees,  to  appoint  other  oc- 
casional meetings,  from  time  to  time,  of  the  said  seven  trustees, 
or  any  greater  number  of  them,  to  transact  any  matter  or 
thing  necessary  to  be  done,  before  the  next  annual  meeting, 
and  to  order  notice  to  the  said  seven  or  any  greater  number  of 
them,  of  the  times  and  places  of  meetings  for  the  services  afore- 
said, by  a  letter  under  his  or  their  hands  of  the  same,  one 
month  before  said  meeting.  Provided  always,  that  no  stand- 
ing rule  or  order  be  made  or  altered,  for  the  regulation  of  said 
college,  or  any  president  or  professor  be  chosen  or  displaced,  or 
any  other  matter  or  thing  transacted  or  done,  which  shall  con- 
tinue in  force  after  the  then  next  annual  meeting  of  said  trustees 
as  aforesaid. 

And  further.  We  do  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and 
successors,  create,  make,   constitute,  nominate  and  appoint  our 
trusty  and  well  beloved  Eleazar  Wheelock,  Doctor  in  divinity, 
the  founder  of  said  college,  to  be  president  of  said  Dartmouth 
College,  and  to  have  the  immediate  care  of  the  education  and 
government  of  such   students,  as   shall   be   aomitted  mto  said 
Dartmouth  College,  for  instruction  'And  education  ;  and  do  will, 
give  and  grant  to  him  in  said  office,  full  power,   authority  and 
right  to  nominate,  appoint,  constitute  and  ordain  by  his  last 
will,  such  suitable  and   meet  person  or  persons  as    he   shall 
chuse,   to  succeed  him  in   the   presidency   of  said  Dartmouth 
College  ;  and  the  person  so  appointed  by  his  last  will,  to  con- 
tinue in  office,  vested  with  all  the  powers,  privileges,  jurisdic- 
tion and  authority  of  a  president  of  said  Dartmouth  College, 
that  is  to  say,  so  long  as  until  such  apjiointment,  by  said  last 
will  shall  be  disapproved  by  the  trustees  of  said  Dartmouth 
College. 

And  We  do  also  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  will,  give 
and  grant  to  the  said  trustees  of  Dartmouth  College,  and  to 


notes:  1 8p 

their  successors  forever,  or  any  seven  or  more  of  them,  con- 
vened as  aforesaid,  that  in  case  of  the  ceasing  or  failure  of  a 
president,  by  any  means  whatsoever,  that  the  said  trustees  do 
elect,  nominate  and  ajDpoint  such  quaUfied  person,  as  they,  or 
the  major  part  of  any  seven  or  more  of  them,  convened  for  that 
purpose,  as  above  directed,  thall  think  fit,  to  be  president  of 
said  Dartmouth  College,  and  to  have  the  care  of  the  education 
and  government  of  the  students  as  aforesaid.  And  in  case  of 
the  ceasing  of  a  president  as  aforesaid,  the  senior  professor  or 
tutor,  being  one  of  the  trustees,  shall  exercise  the  office  of  a 
president,  until  the  trustees  shall  make  choice  of,  and  appoint 
a  president  as  aforesaid ;  and  such  professor  or  tutor,  or  any 
three  or  more  of  the  tiiistees,  shall  immediately  appoint  a  meet- 
ing of  the  body  of  the  trustees  for  the  purpose  aforesaid.  And 
also.  We  do  will,  give  and  grant  to  the  said  trustees,  convened 
as  aforesaid,  that  they  elect,  nominate  and  appoint,  so  many 
tutors  and  professors,  to  assist  the  president  in  the  education 
and  government  of  the  students  belonging  thereto  as  they  the 
said  trustees  shall,  from  time  to  time,  and  at  any  time  think 
needful  and  serviceable  to  the  interests  of  said  Dartmouth  Col- 
lege. And  also  that  the  said  trustees,  or  their  successors,  or 
the  major  part  of  any  seven  or  more  of  them,  convened  for  that 
purpose  as  above  directed,  shall  at  any  time  displace  and  dis- 
charge from  the  service  of  said  Dartmouth  College,  any  or  all 
such  officers,  and  elect  others  in  their  room  and  stead  as  before 
directed.  And  also  that  the  said  trustees  or  their  successors,  or 
the  major  part  of  any  seven  of  them  which  shall  convene  for 
that  purpose  as  above  directed,  do  from  time  to  time  as  occa- 
sion shall  require,  elect,  constitute  and  appoint  a  treasurer,  a 
clerk,  an  usher  and  a  steward,  for  the  said  Dartmouth  College, 
and  appoint  to  them,  and  each  of  them,  their  respective  busi- 
nesses and  trust ;  and  displace  and  discharge  from  the  service 
of  said  college,  such  treasurer,  clerk,  usher  or  steward,  and 
elect  others  in  their  room  and  stead ;  which  ofticers  so  elected 
^s  before  directed,  We  do  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  by 


1^0  NOTES. 

these  presents  constitute  and  establish  in  their  res}3ective  of- 
fices, and  do  give  to  each  and  every  of  them,  full  power  and 
authority,  to  exercise  the  same  in  said  Dartmouth  College,  ac- 
cording to  the  directions  and  during  the  pleasure  of  the  said 
trustees,  as  fully  and  freely  as  any  like  officers  in  any  of  our 
universities,  colleges,  or  seminaries  of  learning,  in  our  realm  of 
Great  Britain,  lawfully  may  or  ought  to  do. 

And  also,  that  the  said  trustees  or  their  successors,  or  the 
major  part  of  any  seven  or  more  of  them,  which  shall  convene 
for  that  purpose,  as  is  above  directed,  as  often  as  one  or  more 
of  said  trustees  shall  die,  or  by  removal  or  otherwise  shall,  ac- 
cording to  their  judgment  become  unfit  or  incapable  to  serve 
the  interests  of  said  college,  do,  as  soon  as  may  be,  after  the 
death,  removal,  or  such  unfitness  or  incapacity  of  such  trustee 
or  trustees,  elect  and  appoint  such  trustee  or  trustees  as  shall 
supply  the  place  of  him  or  them  so  dying,  or  becoming  inca- 
pable to  serve  the  interests  of  said  college ;  and  every  trustee 
so  elected  and  appointed,  shall,  by  virtue  of  these  presents,  and 
such  election  and  appointment,  be  vested  with  all  the  power* 
and  privileges  which  any  of  the  other  trustees  of  said  college 
are  hereby  vested  with.  And  We  do  further  will,  ordain  and 
direct,  that  from  and  after  the  expiration  of  two  years  from  the 
enrolment  of  these  presents,  such  vacancy  or  vacancies  shall  be 
filled  up  unto  the  complete  number  of  tivelve  Trustees,  eight  of 
the  aforesaid  whole  number  of  the  body  of  the  trustees  shall  be 
resident  and  respectable  freeholders  of  our  said  Province  of 
Neiv  Hampshire,  and  seven  of  said  whole  naraber  shall  be  lay- 
men. 

And  We  do  further  of  our  special  grace,  certain  knowledge 
and  mere  motion,  will,  give  and  grant  unto  the  said  trustees  of 
DartmuiUh  College  that  they  and  their  successors,  or  the  major 
part  of  any  seven  of  them  which  shall  convene  for  that  purpose 
as  above  directed,  may  make,  and  they  are  hereby  fully  em- 
powered from  time  to  time  fully  and  lawfully  to  make  and  es- 
tablish such  ordinances,  orders  and  laws,  as  may  tend  to  the 


NOTES.  191 

good  and  wholesome  government  of  the  said  College,  and 
all  the  students  and  the  several  officers  and  ministers  thereof, 
and  to  the  public  benefit  of  the  same,  not  repugnant  to  the 
laws  and  statutes  of  our  realm  of  Great  Britain  or  of  this  our 
province  of  Nciv  Hampshire,  (and  not  excluding  any  person  of 
any  religious  denomination  whatsoever  from  free  and  equal  lib- 
erty and  advantage  of  education,  or  from  any  of  the  liberties 
and  privileges  or  immunities  of  the  said  College  on  account  of 
his  or  their  speculative  sentiments  in  religion,  and  of  his  or 
their  being  of  a  religious  profession  different  from  the  said 
Trustees  of  the  said  Dartmouth  College,)  and  such  ordinances, 
orders  and  laws  which  shall  as  aforesaid  be  made. 

We  do  by  these  presents,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors, 
ratify,  allow  of  and  confirm,  as  good  and  effectual  to  oblige 
and  bind  all  the  students  and  the  several  officers  and  ministers 
of  said  College.  And  We  do  hereby  authorize  and  empower 
the  said  Trustees  of  Dartmouth  College,  and  the  President,  Tu- 
tors and  Professors  by  them  elected  and  appointed  as  aforesaid, 
to  put  such  ordinances,  laws  and  orders  into  execution  to  all  in- 
tents and  purposes. 

And  We  do  further  of  our  special  grace,  certain  knowledge 
and  mere  motion,  will,  give  and  grant  unto  the  said  Trustees,  of 
said  Dartmouth  College,  for  the  encouragement  of  learning  and 
animating  the  students  of  said  College  to  diligence  and  indus- 
try and  a  laudable  progress  in  literature,  that  they  and  their 
successors,  or  the  major  part  of  any  seven  or  more  of  them 
convened  for  that  purpose  as  above  directed,  do  by  the  Presi- 
dent of  said  College  for  the  time  being,  or  any  other  deputed  by 
them,  give  and  grant  any  such  degree  or  degrees  to  any  of  the 
students  of  the  said  College,  or  any  others  by  them  thought 
worthy  thereof,  as  are  usually  granted  in  either  of  the  Univer' 
sities  or  any  other  College  in  our  realm  of  Great  Britain  ;  and 
that  they  sign  and  seal  diplomas  or  certificates  of  such  gradua- 
tions to  be  kept  by  the  graduates  as  perpetual  memorials  and 
testimonies  thereof. 


192  NOTES: 

And  We  do  further  of  our  special  grace,  certain  knowledge 
and  mere  motion,  for  us,  our  heirs  and  successors,  by  these 
presents  give  and  grant  unto  the  Trustees  of  said  Dartmouth 
College  and  to  their  successors,  that  they  and  their  successors 
shall  have  a  common  seal  under  which  they  may  pass  all  dip- 
lomas or  certificates  of  degrees,  and  all  other  affairs  of  business 
of  and  concerning  the  said  College,  which  shall  be  engraven  in 
such  form  and  with  such  an  inscription  as  shall  be  devised  by 
the  said  Trustees  for  the  time  being,  or  by  the  major  part  of 
any  seven  or  more  of  them  convened  for  the  service  of  said 
College  as  is  above  directed. 

And  We  do  further  for  us  our  heirs  nnd  successors,  give  and 
grant  unto  the  Trustees  of  said  Dartmouth  College  and  their  suc- 
cessors, or  to  the  major  part  of  any  seven  or  more  of  them  con- 
vened for  the  service  of  said  College,  full  power  and  authority 
from  time  to  time  to  nominate  and  appoint  all  other  officers 
and  ministers  which  they  shall  think  convenient  and  necessary 
for  the  service  of  the  said  College  not  herein  particularly  named 
or  mentioned ;  which  officers  and  ministers  we  do  hereby  im- 
power  to  execute  their  offices  and  trusts  as  fully  and  freely  as 
any  one  of  the  officers  and  ministers  in  our  Universities  or  Col- 
leges in  our  realm  of  Great  Britain  lawfully  may  or  ought 
to  do. 

And  further,  that  the  generous  contributors  to  the  support  of 
this  design  of  spreading  the  knowledge  of  the  only  true  God 
and  Saviour  among  the  American  savages,  may  from  time  to 
time  be  satisfied  that  their  liberations  are  faithfully  disposed 
of  in  the  best  manner  for  that  purpose,  and  that  others  may 
in  future  time  be  encouraged  in  the  exercise  of  the  like  libe- 
rality for  promoting  the  same  pious  design  ;  it  shall  be  the  du- 
ty of  the  President  of  said  Dartmouth  College  and  of  his  succes- 
sors, annually  or  as  often  as  he  shall  be  thereunto  desired  or 
requested,  to  transmit  to  the  Right  Hon.,  Hon.  and  worthy 
Gentlemen  of  the  trust  in  England  before  mentioned,  a  faithful 
account  of  the  improvements  and  disbursements  of  the  several 


NOTES.  103 

Bums  he  shall  receive  from  the  donations  and  bequests  made  in 
England  through  the  hands  of  the  said  Trustees,  and  also  advise 
them  of  the  general  plans  laid  and  prospects  exhibited,  as  well 
as  a  faithful  account  of  all  remarkable  occurrences,  in  order  if 
they  shall  think  expedient  that  they  may  be  published.  And 
this  to  continue  so  long  as  they  shajl  perpetuate  their  board  of 
Trust,  and  there  shall  be  any  of  the  Indian  natives  remaining 
to  be  proper  objects  of  that  charity. 

And  lastly,  our  express  will  and  pleasure  is,  and  We  do  by 
these  presents  for  us  our  heirs  and  successors,  give  and  grant 
unto  the  said  Trustees  of  Dartmouth  College  and  to  their  succes- 
sors forever,  that  these  our  letters  patent  or  the  enrolment 
thereof  in  the  Secretary's  office  of  our  province  of  New  Hamp- 
shire aforesaid,  shall  be  good  and  effectual  in  law  to  all  intents 
and  purposes  against  us  our  heirs  and  successors,  without  anv 
other  licence,  grant  or  confirmation  from  us  our  heirs  and  suc- 
cessors hereafter  by  the  said  Trustees  to  be  had  and  obtained, 
notwithstanding  the  not  writing  or  misrecital,  not  naming  or 
misnaming  the  aforesaid  offices,  franchises,  privileges,  immuni- 
ties, or  other  the  premises  or  any  of  them,  and  notwithstanding 
a  writ  of  ad  cjuod  damnum  hath  not  issued  forth  to  enquire  of 
the  premises  or  any  of  thera  before  the  enseahng  hereof,  any 
statute,  ^ct,  ordinance  or  proviso,  or  any  other  matter  or  thing 
to  the  contrary  notwithstanding. 

To  have  and  to  hold,  all  and  singular  the  privileges,  advan- 
tages, liberties,  immunities,  and  all  other  tlie  premises  herein 
and  hereby  granted  and  given,  or  which  are  meant,  mentioned, 
or  intended  to  be  herein  and  hereby  given  and  granted  unto 
them  the  said  Trustees  of  Dartmouth  College  and  to  their  suc- 
cessors forever. 

In  Testimony  whereof  We  have  caused  these  our  letters  to 
be  made  patent,  and  the  public  seal  of  our  said  province  of 
Neii-  Hampshire  to  be  hereunto  aHixed. 


X'O 


I94i  NOTES.  ^ 

Witness  our  trusty  and  well  beloved  John  Wentvvorth,  Esq. 
Governor  and  Commander  in  Chief  in  and  over  our  said  Pro- 
vince, &c.  this  thirteenth  day  of  December,  in  the  tenth  year 
of  our  reign,  and  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  one  thousand  seven 
hundred  and  sixty  nine. 

J.  WEIS^WORTH. 

By   his  Excellency*s  command  \ 
>vith  the  advice  of  Council.      j 

Theodore  Atkinson,  Sec'ry. 


/Locus  \ 


Note  (h)  page  53. 

A  POEM, 

On  the  Rise  and  Progress  of  Mocr's  Indian  Charitxf  School,  (noz3 
incorporated  ivith  Dartmouth  College)  its  removal  and  settle- 
ment in  Hanover,  and  the  founding  a  Church  in  the  same, 

"By  one  of  Doctor  Wheelock's  Pupils,  educated  in  said  school,  and  now 
a  member  of  said  College,  preparing  for  a  mission  among  the  Indians. 

SOME  heavenly  power  soft  whispering  to  my  hedrt, 
Inspire  my  soul  and  light  divine  impart ; 

Teach  me  to  sing  how  Dartmouth  first  ax-ose,  * 

In  spite  of  mortal  and  immortal  foes. 

Say  first  my  soul,  how  the  Almighty  mind. 
Who  at  one  view  surveys  all  human  kind. 
Beheld  the  murdering  savage  mad  with  spite, 
Reel  to  the  regions  of  eternal  night ; 
And  feeling  g-od-!ikc  pity  in  his  breast, 
His  glorious  grace  he  thus  with  smiles  addressed : 
**  Go  grace  triumphant,  spread  thy  gifts  abroad, 
On  savage  mortals,  who  despise  their  God  ; 


NOTES.  195 


From  heaven's  bright  world  descend  to  humble  earth 

There  give  an  Indian  seminary  birth, 

Where  heathen  youth  from  many  a  distant  tribe. 

The  seeds  of  truth  and  science  shall  imbibe. 

And  learn  to  bow  before  our  awful  throne, 

And  hail  ME  King  of  heaven  and  earth  alone  ; 

Learn  to  adore  the  sacred  Three  in  One, 

Love  and  admire  my  own  eternal  Son, 

(Who  ransom'd  hell-doom'd  i-ebels  with  his  blood) 

And  all  the  boundless  mercy  of  a  God. 

Nor  these  alone  ;  let  virtuous  English  yovith, 

Whose  bosoms  glow  with  piety  and  truth. 

Devote  their  lives  and  join  the  glorious  cause. 

Of  snatching  captive  souls  from  satan's  paws, 

Who  like  a  lion  bound  shall  bite  his  chsiin, 

And  roaring  loose  the  vassals  of  his  reign. 

Yet  neither  pride  of  earth  nor  powei's  of  hell, 

Tho'  like  a  raging  sea  they  foam  and  swell. 

Shall  e'er  destroy  this  offspring  of  my  love. 

But  by  permission  from  my  throne  above." 

Thus  God  ordain'd  in  heaven,  and  what  he  will'd. 

Almighty  grace  on  earth  below  fulfil'd. 

Up  rose  the  infant  school,  small  at  her  birth. 

Just  as  a  grain  of  mustard  from  the  earth 

Shoots  up  a  tender  stalk,  and  by  degrees. 

Spreads  and  extends,  and  emulates  the  trees. 

As  Sol's  prolilic  beams,  and  kindly  showers. 

Call  forth  the  vernal  bloom,  and  fragrant  flowers  j 

So  grace  divine  displa^^'d  her  heavenly  store, 

And  cheer'd  the  infant  School  she  rear'd  before  ; 

Cloth'd  with  her  garments,  nourish'^  with  her  food. 

And  pour'd  its  bosom  full  of  every  good. 

Yet  then,  lest  man  should  say  (and  claim  the  praise) 

Behold  the  Institution  which  I  raise  ! 

To  show  the  world  the  plan  was  all  her  own. 

And  keep  assuming  mortals  from  her  throne. 

She  hid  the  cheerful  glories  of  her  eyes. 

Bid  envy  rage  and  malice  vent  their  lies  -y 

Then  rose  Contempt  and  Pride,  with  Sneers  assail'd. 

Help  hid  her  head,  and  weak  Assistance  fail'd. 

All  light  of  human  hope  forbore  to  shine. 

And  cloutts  and  darkness  vcil'd  the  whole  design. 


396  NOTES. 

Then  faith  and  hope,  by  heaven's  own  breath  inspu'd, 

Rais'd  their  petitions,  and  God's  help  rcquir'd  ; 

Grace  with  a  smile,  expel'd  th'  impending  harm, 

Dispers'd  the  clouds,  and  drove  away  the  storm  ; 

Pour'd  down  her  blessings,  bid  new  friends  arise. 

And  cheer  the  sinking  school  with  fresh  supplies  ; 

Who,  like  a  trembling  child,  which  fears  a  fall. 

For  help,  on  Albion's  isle,  presumes  to  call : 

Albion,  the  boast  of  fame,  Europa's  pride. 

Which  more  outshines  all  other  lands  beside. 

Than  noon-day  Phoebus,  in  his  blazing  car  j 

Exceeds  the  twinkling  lustre  of  a  star. 

An  isle  renown'd  for  riches,  arms  and  arts. 

For  heroes,  noble  souls,  and  lib'ral  hearts. 

Illustrious  GEORGE,  enthron'd  in  sovereign  rule, 

Commences  donor  to  an  Indian  school ; 

His  bright  example,  fires  each  generous  breast. 

And  charity,  in  fairest  splendor  dress'd. 

Stands  forth  rever'd,  while  noble  Britons  join. 

To  bring  their  off 'rings,  and  adorn  her  shrine. 

JBut  see  above  the  rest,  exalted  stand. 

The  worthy  few,  who  stretch'd  their  friendly  hand. 

To  lead  young  Dartmouth,  through  her  infant  state. 

Support,  build  up,  and  make  her  truly  great ! 

O  !  could  my  soul,  in  strains  sublimely  bold. 

Sing,  as  the  Bards  immortal  sang  of  old, 

Their  deeds  should  live  eternal  in  my  lays. 

And  heaven  and  earth  re-echo  to  their  praise. 

Should  great  Meonides  rise  from  the  dead. 

Or  Maro  i-ear  his  venerable  head, 

A  theme  like  this,  might  kindle  all  their  fire. 

And  with  new  glories,  every  page  inspire. 

The  praise  of  charity,  in  every  line. 

Must  spread  her  blooming  beauties  all  divine. 

Ye  savage  tribes,  behold  with  vast  surprize. 

Devour  the  prospect,  with  your  wondering  eyes  ! 

Fair  Charity  to  you  her  wealth  displays. 

Be  yours  the  profit,  and  be  hers  the  praise  : 

Be  chang'd  your  hearts,  your  bloody  deeds  disprove, 

And  let  your  rugged  passions  soften  into  love. 

Say  next,  my  tuneful  power,  how  grace  ordain'd 
To  move  young  Dartmouth  to  a  distant  land  ; 


pain,       > 
ao-ain.    J 


NOTES. 

To  pull  this  plant  she  rais'd  with  careful  toil, 

And  fix  it,  blooming,  in  a  northern  soil. 

Thus  we  behold,  in  pathless  forests  sprung, 

A  fruitful  tree,  with  golden  apples  hung, 

Inclos'd  around  with  shades  and  gloomy  wastes, 

Expos'd  to  beating  rains,  and  stormy  blast: 

So  Dartmouth  seated  on  her  desert  plain, 

Try'd,  dissappointed,  and  oppress'd  with 

Look'd  back,  and  long'd  for  her  old  seat  agj 

Deep  in  her  bosom  heav'd  the  swelling  sigh, 

And  the  big  tear,  roll'd  trickling  from  her  eye  ; 

Earthward,  in  pensive  woe,  her  look  she  bent. 

And  veil'd  her  face  with  gloomy  discontent : 

Though  wrong  her  conduct,  yet  be  censure  still. 

Afflictions  fall  by  heaven's  all-sovereign  will  j 

And  in  this  storm  how  could  she  choose  but  weep  ? 

"WTien  her  Almighty  guardian  seem'd  to  sleep  ? 

When  frightful  prospects  rose  to  sight  around, 

When  langiiis'd  hope,  and  threat'ning  nature  frown'd. 

For  now  the  king  of  day,  at  distance  far. 

In  southei-n  signs,  drove  his  refulgent  car  ; 

On  northern  climates  beam'd  a  shorter  day. 

And  shot  obliquely  his  diminish'd  ray. 

Grim  winter  frowning  from  the  glistening  bear, 

Unbar'd  his  magazines  of  nitrous  air. 

And  clad  in  icy  mail,  of  rigid  form, 

Menac'd,  dark  dismal  days,  and  dreadful  storm. 

Forlorn,  thus  youthful  Dartmouth  trembling  stood. 

Surrounded  with  inhospitable  wood  ; 

Ko  silken  furs,  on  her  soft  limbs  to  spread, 

Ko  dome  to  screen  her  fair  defenceless  head. 

On  everj'  side,  she  cast  her  wishful  eyes. 

Then  humblj*^  rais'd  them  to  the  pitying  skies- 

Thence  grace  divine  beheld  her  tender  care. 

And  bow'd  her  ear,  propitious  to  her  prayer. 

Soon  chang'ci  the  Scene  ;  the  prospect  shone  more  fair ; 

Joy  lights  all  faces  with  a  cheerful  air  j 

The  buildings  rise,  the  work  appears  alive. 

Pale  fear  expires,  and  languid  hopes  revive  ; 

Grim  winter's  surly  blasts  forbear  to  blow. 

And  heaven  lock'd  up  her  magazines  of  snow  ; 


197 


396  NOTES. 

Autumn  protracted  its  indulgent  days. 

And  Sol  difFus'd  a  larger  tide  of  rays. 

And  was,  or  seem'd  reluctant  to  decline. 

While  Dartmouth  needed  his  propitious  shine  j 

Yet  he,  at  length,  obtains  his  utmost  goal. 

And  leaves,  in  dariiness  sunk,  the  frozen  pole. 

From  whose  eternal  snows,  the  stormy  blast 

Howls  through  the  pines,  and  sweeps  the  barren  waste. 

But  wbatthougli  Phoebus  glanc'd  a  feebler  ray  ? 
God's  spirit  beam'd  a  more  celestial  day  ; 
On  sin-sick  sovxls,  he  shone  divinely  bright. 
And  bid  them  spring  from  darkness  into  light. 
The  gloom  dispell'd,  the  mind  desires  new  joys. 
And  bliss  supernal  ev'ry  thought  employs  : 
Eternal  truths  the  warm  affections  gain. 
And  vicious  pleasures  meet  a  just  disdain. 
With  love  divine,  the  raptur'd  bosom  glows. 
And  conscience,  heal'd,  indulges  svv^et  repose  j 
/  No  more  reluctant,  now  to  dwell  at  home, 
Acquits  the  sovil,  and  longs  for  joys  to  come. 
Earth,  with  her  toys,  no  more  insj>ires  delight. 
But  sinks  away,  and  vanishes  from  sight. 
With  full  consent,  in  holy  cov'nant  join'd. 
To  God  both  soul  and  body  are  resign'd  ; 
Time,  talents,  life,  and  breath,  and  all,  are  given. 
To  serve  the  Lord,  and  climb  the  road  to  heaven. 
Jesus,  the  filial  God  in  mercy  dress'd. 
Joins  his  young  bride  fast  to  his  bleeding  breast  3 
Calms  all  her  pains,  and  eases  every  smart, 
And  sets  her  as  a  seal  upon  his  heart. 
Inspires,  with  resolution  to  fulfil. 
The  sacred  dictates  of  his  holy  will. 
Sweet  peace  and  love,  each  happy  soul  inspires. 
And  balmy  friendship  lights  her  gentle  fires. 
In  ev'ry  breast ;  joy  crowns  each  smiling  day, 
And  cheerful  niitiults  smootlily  glide  away. 
Calm  solitude,  to  liberal  science  kind. 
Sheds  her  soft  influence  on  the  studious  mind  ; 
Afflictions  stand  aloof  j  the  heavenly  powers, 
l-'rop  needful  blessings  in  abundant  showers. 


NOTES.  199 


Thus  Dartmouth,  happy  in  her  sylvan  seat, 
Erinks  the  pure  pleasures  of  her  fair  retreat  j 
Her    songs  of  praise,  in  notes  melodious  rise. 
Like  clouds  of  incense  to  the  listening  skies  ; 
Her  God  pi-otects  her  with  paternal  care. 
From  ills  distructive  and  each  fatal  snare  j 
And  may  he  still  protect,  and  she  adore, 
Till  heaven,  and  earth,  and  time,  shall  be  no  more. 


Note  (k)  page  85. 

At  a  meeting  of  the  Board  of  Commissioners,  from  the  Soci- 
ety for  propagating  Christian  Knowledge  in  Scotland,  held  in 
Boston,  June  11,  1789,  the  following  report  of  a  committee, 
formerly  appointed  by  the  board,  was  made  to  them,  and  u- 
nanimously  accepted. 

Attest,  Peter  Tracker,  Assist.  Sec'ry. 

The  committee  appointed  to  confer  with  Dr.  Wheelock,  and 
examine  the  accounts  of  Moor*s  Indian  Charity  School,  have 
attended  that  service,  and  find,  by  the  accounts  exhibited  bv 
him,  that  the  following  sums  have  been  expended,  by  the  late 
Dr.  Wheelock  and  the  president,  from  the  year  1767,  viz. 

Lawful  money.  Sterling. 

For  missionaries,         <£  1929     4-0   1  of  11-46    18     0 

School  masters  inl 
the  wilderness      >  834.     9   3  625   16   II 

and  school,  3 

156  Indians,  male" 
and  female,  edu- 
cated in  the  V.        4258     8   3i  319^   IQ 
school,  exclusive 

.of  those  in  the 
wilderness, 

147  English  1 

youths  in  the        >         3010     0  8  2257    10 

school,  S 


'}b 


200 


NOTES, 


Labor,  clearing 
lands,  b'lds.  &c. 
Clothing  to  Oct. 

1770, 

} 

Lawful  money. 
3186     5   41. 

892    13   5i 

Sterling. 
2389    14 

1 

Expenses  for 
borses,  for  mis- 

> 

sionaries,  books, 
and  printing  nar- 
ratives. 

1 

881    19   91 

£  1330   19 

o£'l774   \^  2| 

10 

Add  interest  on 
o£'470  2   11  be- 
ing  the  balance 
of  his  account 

^^14993      0   10 
147      6     2 

0^11244    15 

8 

sent  to  the  soci- 

) 

ety. 

J 

Charges,  procur- 
ing evidences. 

\ 

59    19    11 

Deduct  the  sums 
received  from       | 
England,  Scot- 
land and  Ameri- 1 

J 

i 

£  15,200     0    11 
o£' 13,613     0     2 

06^11400  5 
<£  10209    15 

3 

2 

ca. 

; 

Balance 

o£'l587      6      9. 

cfllQO   10 

1 

In  the  above  is  included  the  balance  of  c£584  3  9  sterling, 
due  to  the  late  Dr.  Wheelock,  March  20,  1775,  as  by  his 
printed  narrative :  also  .^  470  2  11  sterling,  due  to  the  pre- 
sent Dr.  Wheelock,  as  per  his  account,  sent  to  the  societ}^  and 
interest  on  it. 

The  committee  have  carefully  examined  the  accounts,  and 
compared  the  charges  with  the  original  entries,  and  are  of 
opinion  that  £\\Q0  10  1  sterling,  including  the  aforesaid 
charges  of  interest,  has  been  expended  by  the  late  and  the  pre- 
sent'Dr.  Wheelocks,  more  than  they  have  received  ;  that  the 
cxpendlt'drcs   have  been  for  the  use  of  Moor's  school,  aad  not 


NOTES.  201 

to  benefit  the  college."  The  committee  observe,  that  the  ex- 
pence  and  charges  of  clearing  land,  building,  &c.  are  very 
high,  the  causes  of  which  are  noticed  in  the  preceding  pages, 
and  further  say — "  These,  with  some  other  charges,  the  Com- 
mittee impute  not  to  any  wilful  misapplications  of  the  monies, 
but  rather  to  the  zeal  of  the  late  Dr.  Wheelock,  to  promote  the 
great  design  he  had  in  view,  of  christianizing  the  Indians,  and 
his  not  knowing  w'hat  funds  would  be  proper  to  expend  for 
these  purposes,  and  the  best  method  of  laying  them  out. 

"  The  Committee  do  not  find  any  charges  made  by  the  late 
or  present  Dr.  Wheelock,  for  their  time  or  trouble,  and  are 
fully  of  opinion  that  the  debts  incurred,  and  expenditures  made, 
were  on  the  credit  of  the  funds  in  England  and  Scotland.'* 

Just  before  the  revolutionary  war,  and  when  the  school's 
monies  in  England  were  expended  by  Doctor  Wheelock,  the 
following  testimonial  of  the  faithful  application  of  it,  agreeably 
to  tlie  original  design,  was  given,  for  the  satisfaction  of  the 
public. 

We,  whose  names  are  hereunto  annexed,  from  personal  ac- 
quaintance, or  credible  information,  are  fully  satisfied  that  the 
generous  donations,  made  by  the  liberal  and  charitably  dis- 
posed, both  in  Great  Britain  and  America,  for  the  support  of 
the  Indian  Charity  School,  founded  and  carried  on  by  the  Rev. 
Eieazar  Wheelock,  D.  D;  and  now  connected  with  Dartmouth 
College,  have  been  carefully,  conscientiously,  and  prudently 
applied,  solely  for  the  purpose  of  propagating  Christian  know- 
ledge, among  the  Indian  natives  of  America  ;  and  that  the 
growth,  progress,  and  present  flourishing  state  of  that  school, 
much  exceed  our  most  sanguine  expectations. 

We  esteem  it  also  a  very  signal  smile  of  heaven,  that  God 
did  incline  the  hearts  of  gentlemen  in  England,  of  such  res- 
pectable characters,  to  become  Trustees  of  the  monies  there 
collected,  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  that  seminar}^  and  in  that 
capacity  to  distinguish  themselves  as  its  patrons  and  benefactors, 
'which  has  contributed  not  only  greatly  to  its  encouragement 

26 


9,02  KOTES. 

and  furtherance,  but  also  much  to  that  reputation,  which  it 
has  so  generally  obtained. 

And  we  trust  in  the  Supreme  Benefactor,  still  to  dispose  the 
hearts  of  the  pious  and  benevolent,  who  are  honored  with  abi- 
lity, to  extend  their  munificence  towards  a  design  so  good  and 

laudable. 

And  considering  the  situation   of  that    institution,  and  the 

blessings  of  heaven  which  have  evidently  attended  it,  we  ap- 
prehend the  present  prospect  of  its  utility,  ought  warmly  to 
invite  the  benefactions  of  all,  who  are  disposed  to  promote  the 
interests  of  religion  and  learning,  in  those  places  where  igno- 
rance and  paganism,  have  in  times  past,  reigned  triumphant. 
Signed  by  His  Excellency  JOHN  WENTWORTH,  Esq. 

Governor  of  New  Hampshire. 

The  Hon.  Theodore  Atkinson,  Esq. 

The  Hon.  Daniel  Warner,  Esq. 

The  Hon.  Mark  H.  Wentworth,  Esq. 

The  Hon,  Jonathan  Warner,  Esq.  Counsellors  of  the 

The  Hon.  Daniel  Rogers,  Esq.  y        Province  of 

The  Hon.  Daniel  Rindge,  Esq.  New  Hampshire. 

The  Hon.  Peter  Oilman,  Esq. 

The  Hon.  George  JatlVey,  Esq. 

The  Hon.  John  Sherburne,  Esq. 

The  Hon.  John  Phillips,  Esq. 

The  Hon.  William  Parker,  Esq. 

Hunting  Wentworth,  Esq. 
Samuel  Penhallow,  Esq. 
John  Wendell,  Esq.  Not.  Pub. 
Fdi.  23,  1775. 

After  the  conclusion  of  the  wars,  for  the  satisfaction  of  alJ^ 
and  particularly,  the  Honorable  Society  in  Scotland  for  propa- 
gating Christian  Knowledge,  in  whose  hands  are  the  School's 
funds,  collected  in  North  Britain,  and  \'sho  had  manifested  a 
desire  to  be  informed  of  the  state  of  the  school,  and  the  use  and 
improvement  rnade  of  its  property  to  that  time,  the  following 
Certificates,  one  from  the  ministers  of  the  gospel,  in  the  vicin- 
it}^  of  the  School  and  College,  the  other  from  gentlemen  iri 
civil  oflices  in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire,  were  given. 


NOTES.  5203: 

To  the  Honorable  Society  in  Scotland,  for  propagating 
Christian  Knowledge  in  foreign  parts,  and  all  whom  it  may 
concern.  We,  the  subscribers  hereby  certify,  that  we  were 
personally  acquainted  with  the  Rev.  Eleazar  Wheelock,  D.  D. 
President  of  Dartmouth  College  and  Moor's  Charity  School, 
some  of  us  for  the  whole,  and  others  the  greatest  part  of  the 
time  from  his  removal  to  New  Hampshire,  until  his  decease  in 
the  year  1779  :  and  do,  with  great  pleasure  testify  his  singular 
zeal  and  exertions  in  spreading  Christian  Knowledge  in  the 
uncultivated  parts  of  x\merica,  and  especially  among  the  na- 
tives, by  employing  missionaries  and  educating  their  youth, 
and  others  for  that  purpose.  And  from  abundant  evidence,  we 
are  fully  convinced  that  the  monies,  intrusted  to  his  care  for 
promoting  that  important  object,  were  strictly  and  conscien- 
tiously applied  to  that  purpose,  and  have  been  of  real  benefit 
in  promoting  the  kingdom  of  our  common  Lord  among  those 
where  satan  has  heretofore  reigned  unmolested.  We  further 
testify  that  since  his  decease,  the  same  object  has  been  atten- 
tively pursued  by  his  son  and  successor,  Mr.  John  Wheelock, 
who  we  have  reason  to  believe  is  influenced  by  the  same  spirit, 
and  who,  notwithstanding  the  great  embarrassments  which  have 
unavoidably  arisen  by  the  late  public  calamities,  has  been  at 
great  expence  in  educating  Indian  youths  and  others  who  might 
be  the  most  useful  in  carrying  on  that  important  design. 

And  we  trust  and  believe  his  labors  have  not  been  in  vain, 
so  we  ardently  wish  he  may  in  future  receive,  such  aids  as 
may  enable  him  to  carry  it  on  with  greater  vigor  and  efficacy. 

In  witness  whereof,  we  have  hereunto  set  our  hands,  at  Han- 
over, in  the   State  of  New  Hampshire,  A.  D,  1781'. 

•^    Signed  by 

Samuel  Todd,  A.  M.  V.  D.  M.  and  Moderator  of  the 
Presbytery  in  the  vicinity  of  said  Sehool. 

John  Richards,  A.  M.  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Piermont. 
Isaiah  Potter,  A.  M.  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Lebanon. 


204 


NOTES. 


William  Conant,  A.  M.  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Lyme. 
Lyman  Potter,  A.  M.  Pastor  of  the  Church  in  Norwich, 

(Member  of  the  Presbytery)  living  in  the  vicinity  of 

Moor's  School. 
Asa  Burton,  A.  M.  Pastor  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 

Thetford. 

To  the  Honorable  Society  in  Scotland,  for  propagating  chris- 
tian knowlege  in  foreign  parts:  From  the  best  accounts  which 
can  be  obtained,  we  have  sufficient  reason  to  believe,  that 
Moor's  Lidian  Charity  School,  under  the  care  of  President 
Wheelock,  has  been  attended  with  the  singular  smiles  of  Di<= 
vine  Providence. — That  Dr.  Wheelock  and  his  son  and  succes- 
sor, have  been  prudent  and  indefatigable  in  the  management  of 
it, — And  that  the  means  for  its  support  have  been  invariably 
applied  with  strict  fidelity.  And  we  do  accordingly,  with  the 
greatest  cheerfulness,  recommend  it  as  an  object  truly  deserv-. 
ing  encouragement  and  charity. 

Given  under  our  hands,  in  the  State  of  New  Hampshire^ 
this  25th  day  of  December,  A.  D.    1784. 

M.  Weare,  President  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire. 

Enoch  Hale,  Member  of  the  Senate  of  said  State. 

John  Langdon,  Member  of  the  Senate  of  said  State. 

Geo.  Atkinson,  Speaker  of  the  House   of  Representatives 
of  said  State. 

Moses  Dow,  A.  M.  Member  of  the  Senate  from  said  State, 
from  the  County  of  Grafton. 

The  names  of  the  respectable  signers  of  the  foregoing  certi- 
ficates, were  authenticated  by  Nathaniel  Adams,  Esq.  as  Nota- 
ry Public  of  the  State  of  New  Hampshire.  If  any  thing  fur- 
ther were  necessary,  to  certify  the  honest  and  faithful  applica- 
tion of  the  charitable  donations  to  the  college  and  school,  agree- 
ably to  their  original  design,  a  letter  might  be  added,  written 
by  his  Excellency,  John  Taylor  Gil  man.  Governor  of  ISew 
Hampshire,  so  lately  as  1 8Q0,  to  the  Rev.  Doctor  Kemp,  Se- 


NOTES- 


205 


cretary  to  the  Society  in  Scotland,  in  whicli  he  certifies,  from 
personal  knowledge,  in  substance  agreeable  to  the  foregoing 
testimonies. 


Note  (I.)  page  133. 

L.  S.  The  Governor,  Council,  and  General  Assembly  of 
the  State  of  Vermont.  To  all  peo[>le  to  whom  these  presents 
shall  come.  Greeting.  Know  ye,  that  whereas  Dartmouth. 
College  and  Moor's  Charity  School,  being  situated  on  the  east 
bank  of  Connecticut  river,  have  been,  and  still  are,  of  impor- 
tant service,  in  diffusing  useful  literature  among  mankind,  and 
through  this  state  in  particular  :  We  have  therefore  thought 
fit  for  the  due  encouragement,  and  for  promoting  the  useful 
and  laudable  designs  of  said  College  and  School ;  and  for  ma- 
ny weighty  considerations,  us  hereunto  moving:  We  do  by 
these  presents,  in  the  name  and  by  the  authority  of  the  free- 
men of  the  State  of  Vermont,  give  and  grant  the  tract  of  land, 
hereafter  described  and  bounded,  unto  him  the  said  John  WHee- 
]ock,  as  President  of  said  School,  and  to  the  trustees  of  said 
College,  viz.  Beginning,  &c. the  said  Wheelock  as  Pre- 
sident, and  for  his  successors  in  office,  to  have  and  to  hold  the 
one  moiety  of  said  premises,  as  above  described,  solely  and  ex- 
clusively for  the  use  and  benefit  of  said  School  forever;  and  the 
said  trustees  and  their  successors  in  office,  to  have  and  to  hold 
the  other  moiety,  solely  and  exclusively  for  the  use  and  bene- 
fit of  said  Dartmouth  College  forever,  all  the  appurtenances 
and  privileges  thereunto  belonging  and  appertaining,  are  here- 
by also  granted  to  the  President  and  trustees,  for  the  purposes 
aforesaid. 

In  testimony  whereof,  we  have  caused  the  seal  of  this  State 
to  be  affixed,  this  14th  day  of  June,  17  85,  and  in  the  ninth 
year  of  the  independence  of  this  State. 

Thomas  Chittenden. 

By  His  Excellency's  Command, 
Joseph  Fay,  Sec'ry.  ^ 


S06 


NOTES. 


Note  (m)  page  152. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  the  officers  and  Instructors  of  the 
College,  and  the  periods  of  their  officiating. 

appointment.  Presidents. 

1769.     The  Rev.  Eleazar  Wheelock,  D.  D.  Founder  of  the 

University. 
1779.     The  Hon.  John  Wheelock,  LL.  B. 


Trustees.                          Resignation, 

1769. 

Excellency  John  Wentworth,  T  J-.  D,  Governor. 

1784 

1769. 

Hon.  Theodore  Atkinson. 

1780 

1769. 

Hon.  George  JafFrey. 

1788 

1769. 

Hon.  Daniel  Pierce. 

1774 

1769. 

Hon.  Peter  Gilman. 

1776 

1769. 

Hon.  William  Pitkin. 

1773 

1769. 

Rev.  Eleazar  Wheelock,  D.  D.  President. 

1779 

1769. 

Rev.  Benjamin  Pomeroy,  D.  D. 

1784 

1769. 

Rev.  James  Lockwood. 

1773 

1769. 

Rev.  Timothy  Pitkin. 

1773 

1769. 

Rev.  John  Smalley,  D.  D. 

1774 

1769. 

Rev.  William  Patten. 

1776 

1773. 

Hon  John  Phillips,  LL.  D. 

1793 

1773. 

Hon.  Bezaleel  Woodward.          ^ 

1804 

1773. 

Rev.  Eden  Burroughs. 

1774. 

Hon.  John  Sherburne. 

1777 

1774. 

Hon.  Elisha  Payne. 

1803 

1776. 

Rev.  Silvanus  Ripley,  S.  T.  D. 

1787 

1776. 

Hon.  Samuel  Phillips,  LL.  D.  Lieu.  Gov.  Mass. 

1788 

1777. 

Rev.  David  M'Clure,  D.  D. 

1800 

1779. 

Hon.  John  Wheelock,  LL.  D.  President. 

17  80. 

Rev.  Joseph  Huntington,  D.  D. 

17SS 

17  84. 

Hon.  Simeon  Olcott,  LL.  D. 

1793 

•1784. 

Rev.  Levi  Hart,  D.  D. 

1788 

1788. 

Rev.  Balkley  Olcott. 

1793 

NOTES.  207 

1788.  Rev.  Job  Swift,  D.  D.  ISOl 

1788.  Rev.  John  Smith,  D.  D.  ISOD 

1788.  Excellency  John  Langdon,  Governor.  1789 

1788.  Hon.  Peter  Olcott.  1809 

1789.  Excellency  John  Sullivan,  LL.  D,  Governor.  1790 

1790.  Excellency  Josiah  Bartlett,  M.  D.  Governor.  1794 
1793.  Rev.  Israel  Evans.  1808 
1793.  Hon.  Jonathan  Freeman.  1807 
1793.  Hon.  Nathaniel  Niles. 

1794".     Excellency  John  Taylor  Gilman,  LL.  D.  Gov.     1805 

1800.  Rev.  Lyman  Potter.  1801 

1801.  Rev.  Jabez  Bowman.     • 

1801.  Thomas  Thompson,  Esq. 

1802.  Hon.  Stephen  Jacob. 
ISOt.     Hon.  Timothy  Farrar. 

1805.     Excellency  John  Langdon,  LL.  D.  Governor, 

Professors  and  Tutors. 

Hon.  John  Wheelock,  LL.  D.  Prof,  of  Civ.  5c  Eccles.  History. 
Francis  Brown,  Prof.  Elect,  of  the  Oriental  Languages. 
Ebenezer  Adams,  A.  I\L  Prof.  Math,  and  Phil. 
Rev.  Roswell  ShirtliiT  Philips,  Prof.  Theol. 
Nathan  Smith,  M.  D.  Prof.  Med.  and  Chym, 
Cyrus  Perkins,  M.  D.  Prof,  of  Anat. 

Samuel  Ayer,  A  M.  Tutor.  ^  ^  ^n 

'-T^-     Whue,  A.  M.  Tutor.>^  ."^-/^-^jr  4^  ^—  ^ 

At  the  anniversary  commencement  of  1804^' the  Honorable 
Bezaleel  Woodward,  Professor  of  Mathematics  and  Philosophy, 
departed  this  life.  He  had  fulfilled  the  duties  of  a  Professor 
and  Tutor  from  the  foundation  of  the  College.  His  profound 
knowledge  of  the  abstruse  and  useful  science  of  mathematics, 
the  facility  of  his  instructions  in  natural  and  experimental 
Philosophy  and  Ethics,  his  condescending  and  amiable  man- 
ners, will  be  long  and  gratefully  rem.embercd  by  those  who 
have  received  the  benefit  of  his  instructions. 


208 


NOTES. 


Note  (n)  page  153. 

The  following  arc  the  names  of  the  Masters  of  Moor's  School 
and  times  of  their  officiating  : 


1775   Silvanus  Ripley, 
1779  Jacob  Wood,  ' 
1783    Caleb  Bingham, 
1783  Elisha  Ticknor, 
178Q  Timothy  Dickinson. 
1787   Baruch  Chase, 
17 S8  Daniel  Dana, 
1789  Josiah  Dunham, 
17Q3  Asa  M'Farland, 

1795  Judah  Dana, 

1796  Tilton  Eastman, 

1797  Josiah  Dunham, 

1800  Caleb  Butler, 

1801  Thomas  A.  Merrill, 
1803   Frederic  Hall, 
1805  William  Hayes, 
180()  Edmund  Flagg, 

1807  Samuel  Ayer, 

1808  ^'^'-r    Boutcl. 

Account  of  the  family  connexions  bf  Doctor  Wlieelocli. 

HE  was  first  married -in  1735,  to  Mrs.  Sarah  Maltby,  relict 
of  Capt.  William  Maltby  of  Kew  Haven,  and  daughter  of  the 
Rev.  Mr.  Davenport  of  Stamford,  Connecticut.*-  She  was  a 
lady  of  superior  accomplishments,  amiable  and  pious.  With 
her  he  lived  eleven  years,  and  by  her,  had  six  children,  three 

*  She  was  the  mother  of  the  Rev.  .John  JMaltby,  who  was  many  years 
the  pious  and  faitht'iii  pastor  of  the  Church  of  Christ  on  the  Island  of 
Eernuula.  On  his  loss  of  hcaltl),  he  came  to  Hanuver,  on  a  visit,  wher« 
he  died,  Anno  1771,  universally  respected,  and  is  laid  by  the  side  of  his 
vtnerable  lather  iu  law. 


1754  Moses  Barret, 

1757  Chandler  Robbing, 

1758  Caleb  Barnum, 

1758  Ralph  Pomeroy, 

1759  Benjamin  Trumbull, 

1760  Edmund  Davis, 

1761  Charles  Jaffrey  Smith, 

1761  John  Huntington, 

1762  John  Leslie, 
]764<  John  Lathrop, 

1765  Aaron  Kinne, 

1766  Ralph  Wheelock, 

1767  Bezaleel  Woodward, 

1768  Samuel  Wales, 

1769  Amzi  Lewis, 

1769  David  M'Cmre,  ^ 

1772  James  Dean,        • 

1773  John  Smith, 
1775  Jacob  Fowler, 


NOTES.  209 

of  whom  died  in  infancy,  and  three  are  now  hvlng,  viz.  Theo- 
dore, relict  of  Capt.  John  Young  of  Hanover.  Ruth,  relict  of 
the  Rev.  William  Patten  of  Hartford;  and  Major  Ralph  Whee- 
lock.  The  Doctor's  second  wife,  was  Miss  Mary  Brinsmaid, 
of  Milford,  in  Connecticut ;  a  lady  of  great  virtue  and  piety. 
By  her,  he  had  five  children.  Mary,  who  married  the  Hon. 
Eezaleel  Woodward,  and  survived  him  several  years.  She  was 
a  most  excellent  woman,  an  ornament  to  the  christian  charac^ 
ter  while  she  lived,  and  enjvyed  its  consolations  in  death  : — 
Abigail,  relict  of  the  Rev.  Silvanus  Ripley;  the  Hon.  John 
Wheelock,  President  of  the  College  ;  Col.  Eleazar  Whee- 
lock,    and   James    Wheelock,  Esquire."'^ 


*  Doctor  Wheelock's  sisters  were,  Elizabeth,  married  to  Joshua 
Henda  of  Windham ;  Ruth,  married  to  Robert  Hibbard  of  Windhanj  j 
Abii?ail,  marrie'  to  Rev.  Benjamin  Pomeroy,  D.  D.  of  Hebron ;  Sarah, 
married  to  Joseph  Bingham  of  Windham.  Daacon  Wheelock's  second 
wife  was  Mary  Standish,  she  was  a  descendant  ot  the  i-enowned  Captain 
Miles  Standish  of  Plymouth.  By  her^  he  had  Mary,  ijiarried  to  Jabez 
Bingham  of  Salisburj'. 


27 


APPENDIX. 


THE  following  selection  of  letters  from  the  files  of  the  literary  cof- 
respondencc  of  Doctor  Wheelock,  with  gentlemen  in  Europe  and  Ameri- 
•ca,  contain  a  rich  variety  of  benevolent  sentiments  and  historical  oc- 
currences, and  more  fully  elucidate  his  worthy  character. 


From  the  Rev.  Jonathan  Edwards,  late  President  of  Neiv  Jersey 
College. 

Northampton,  June  9,  1741. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

THE  special  occasion  of  my  now  writing  to  you  is  a  de- 
sire I  have  of  two  things ;  one  is,  that  you  and  your  brother 
Pomeroy  would  go  to  Scantic,  my  father's  parish,  and  preach 
there  as  often  as  the  people  will  be  willing  to  hear  you,  and 
continue  so  doing  as  long  as  the  concerns  of  your  own  parishes 
will  allow  of  your  being  absent. 

You  know  the  wretched  circumstances  of  that  society,  and 
if  ever  they  are  healed,  I  believe  it  must  be  by  a  reviving  and 
prevailing  of  true  religion  amongst  them.  By  all  that  I  can 
understand,  they  are  wholly  dead  in  this  extraordinary  day  of 
God's  gracious  visitation.  You  have  lately  been  so  remarka- 
bly blessed  elsewhere,  that  I  cannot  but  hope  you  would  have 
success  there  also.  I  have  written  to  my  father  to  inform  him 
that  I  have  desired  this  of  you. 

Another  thing  that  I  desire  of  you  is,  that  you  would  come 
up  hither  and  help  us,  both  you  and  Mr.  Pomeroy.  There  has 
been  a  reviving  of  religion  amongst  us  of  late  :  but  your  la- 
bors have  been  much  more  remarkably  blessed  than  mine. 

Other  Ministers,  I  have  heard,  have  shut  up  their  pulpits 
against  you  :  but  here  I  engage  you  shall  find  one  open.  May 
God  send  you  hither  with  the  like  blessing  as  he  has  sent  you 


APPENDIX.  52  1  1 

to  some  other  places;  and  may  your  coming  be  a  means  to 
humble  me  for  my  barrenness  and  unprofitableness,  and  a  means 
of  my  instruction  and  enlivening.  I  want  an  opportunity  to 
concert  measures  with  you,  for  the  advancement  of  the  King- 
dom and  Glory  of  our  Redeemer.  Please  to  communicate 
what  I  write  to  Mr.  P ,  and  give  my  service  to  him.  I  de- 
sire the  prayers  of  you  both,  that  God  will  give  me  more  of  that 
holy  spirit,  and  happy  success,  with  which  you  are  replen- 
ished  1  am,  dear  Sir, 

Your  unworthy  Brother, 

And  Fellow  Laborer, 

JONATHAN  EDWAEDS. 


From  the  Rev.  Aaron  Burr,  President  of  New  Jersey  College. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

I  designed  to  have  sent  you  a  particular  account  of  the  late 
revival  of  religion  in  New  Jersey  College,  but  my  present  hur- 
ry of  business  will  not  allow  me  to  do  it.  I  can  only  say  in 
general,  that  a  religious  concern,  which  began  the  latter  end  of 
December,  and  took  its  ri^e  from  the  dangerous  sickness  of  one 
of  my  pupils,  became  universal,  witho^it  exception  ;  with  some 
in  a  greater  and  some  in  a  lesser  degree.  I  have  never  ob- 
served convictions  more  rational,  solid  and  thorough,  or  attend- 
ed with  better  effects.  It  has  produced  a  most  remarkable 
reformation  in  the  whole  society,  and  with  many,  I  trust, 
has  issued  in  a  saving  conversion  to  God.  I  think  1  may  say, 
to  the  glory  of  God's  grace,  that,  in  the  judgment  of  a  rational 
charity,  the  greater  part  of  the  students  are  strictly  pious.  This 
blessed  season  was  remarkably  free  from  all  such  imprudences 
and  extravagances,  which  were  so  much  complained  of  in  the 
late  times.  Many  false  and  malicious  reports  have  been  spread 
to  the  disadvantage  of  the  Society,  but  the  authors  of  them  be- 
gin to  hang  down  their  heads  with  shame,  having  no  evil  to 


^12  APPENcrs:. 

speak  of  us.     Great  caution  was  taken  in  conducting  that  im<« 
portant  affair,  the  necessity  of  which  has  since  appeared. 
In  great  haste,  and  with  much  respect,  I  am. 

Your  truly  affectionate  Friend  and 
Humble  ServaW, 

AARON  BURR. 

Princetoivn,  March  28,   1757. 


To  Mr.  Dennis  De  Berdt,  at  London. 

Lebanon,  in  Connecticut,  October  4, 1757, 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  agreeable  favor  of  Feb.  28,  1757,  after  so  long 
a  passage,  came  safe  to  hand  the  1st.  inst.  when  our  eyes  had 
almost  failed  with  waiting  for  a  return,  and  which  I  find  has 
been  delayed  by  the  vessel's  waiting  at  Ireland  for  convoy. 
I  heartily  thank  you  for  your  care  and  trouble,  in  the  affair  of 
our  Indian  School.  The  testimonials  we  have  had  from  time 
to  time,  of  the  friendship  and  good  wishes  of  gentlemen  of  re- 
ligion and  influence  towards  our  undertaking,  has  sensibly  ani- 
mated and  encouraged  the  same  ;  and  especially  the  assurance, 

you  now  give  us  of  your  own  and  Dr.  A 's  cheerfulness  in 

serving  and  promoting  it,  and  readiness  to  afford  further  assist- 
ance as  there  shall  be  occasion,  and  also  of  Lord  H n's  ap- 
probation, seems  in  some  measure  a  balance  for  the  discour- 
agements, we  necessarily  conceive  in  such  an  undertaking  at 
the  present  day. 

Something  of  the  nature  of  Lord  H n's  advice   in  the 

case,  was  proposed  before  we  sent  home  for  a  charter ;  and  it 
was  considered,  that  though  the  school  dufmg  its  infancy,  and 
till  a  sufficient  fund  be  obtained,  had  doubtless  best  remain 
where  it  now  is,  yet  if  the  design  shall  prosper,  there  is  great 
probability  it  will  be  much  for  the  advantage  of  the  school  to 
remove  it,  or  at  least  to  set  up  others,  and  improve  part  of  the 
fund  beyond  the  bounds  of  this  government;  and,  perhaps 
some  hundred  miles  from  it,  where  no  act  of  this  government 
will  be  of  any  validity.     For  the  remedying  of  which  difficulty. 


APPENDIX.  2  1  3 

the  "Royal  favor  was  thought  necessary.  However,  we  are  thank- 
ful for  direction,  and  shall  endeavor  to  pursue  it  as  fast  as  we 
can.  And  doubt  not,  if  there  shall  be  prospect  of  success,  we 
may  obtain  further  favors  as  we  shall  need  them.  The  whole 
waits  for  such  an  establishment. 

We  have  thought  best,  as  things  are  now  tempered  and  situ- 
ate, to  do  nothing  more  as  to  a  fund,  till  we  see  the  success  of 
our  suit.  And  we  fear  loss  by  delay,  especially  a  thousand 
acres  of  land,  proposed  to  be  given  (and  has  waited  only  to 
have  us  made  capable  of  receiving  it)  by  an  aged  gentleman, 
who  is  now  in  a  declining  state,  and  it  is  feared  will  not  live 
long.  I  sent  to  him  some  time  ago,  desiring  he  would  make  a 
deed  of  it  to  some  friends,  that  the  school  may  not  fail  of  it 
through  his  decease  ;  but  whether  his  hopes  of  our  success  are 
such,  as  that  such  conveyance  will  be  agreeable  to  him  is  un- 
certain. The  public  aspect  is  indeed  gloomy,  and  threatening 
upon  us.  It  would  make  your  heart  ache,  to  hear  such  ac- 
counts as  I  have  had  from  several,  who  were  in  the  late  fight 
at  Lake  George,  when  Fort  William  Henry  was  given  into  the 
hands  of  the  French,  August  9th,  of  the  inhuman  butcheries 
and  cruelties  committed  by  the  Savages,  on  most  of  our  people, 
in  violation  of  the  most  solemn  capitulation  ;  the  bodies  of  them 
stripped  naked — the  throats  of  many  cut — women  with  child 
ripped  up — the  foetus  taken  from  the  bowels,  and  thrown  from 
one  to  another,  with  loud  shoutings,  yellings,  &c.  But  after 
all  we  have  suffered,  and  all  that  is  threatened,  it  is  evident 
that  people  in  general,  and  even  the  chihiren  of  God,  are  not 
yet  waked  up.  We  have  indeed  many  fasts  and  seasons  of 
prayer ;  but  God  knows  whether  the  essence  be  not  much 
ivanting — or  ivhether  they  be  to  him,  even  to  him,  and  yet  blessed 
be  his  name,  I  must  believe  there  are  some  wrestling  with 
God.  We  had  last  winter  a  happy  revival  of  God's  work  in 
several  parts  of  this  land.     There   was  a  sweet  season  in  this 

school,  when  the  master  (Mr.  R ns)  and  several  of  the 

students  were  hopefully  converted,    and  considerable  appear- 


^14}  APPENDIX. 

ance  of  it  in  my  congregation  (I  think  in  a  judgment  of  chari- 
ty, about  ten  were  converted.)  It  was  also  surprisingly  great 
jn  New  Jersey  College,  as  I  was  assured  by  a  letter  from  the 
President  and  others  and  also  by  a  number  of  the  students, 
one  of  whom  (C B'n,  A.  B.  who  I  trust  was  a  happy  sub- 
ject of  the  blessing)  now  lives  with  me,  and  is  the  instructor  of 
this  school.  But  a  dark  cloud  is  now  drawn  over  that  dear  se- 
minary, and  indeed  over  the  whole  land,  by  the  death  of  that 
excellent  man,  Mr.  President  Burr,  about  a  fortnight  ago.  I 
might  likewise  mention  some  appearance  of  religious  concern^ 
about  the  same  time  at  Yale  College,  in  New  Haven,  and  also 
in  the  town,  as  well  as  in  several  other  places. 

My  dear  young  Johnny  Pumpshire  (a  specimen  of  whose 
writing  I  sent  to  England)  is  dead,  I  hope  gone  to  rest;  his 
mate  is  now  fit  for  College,  and  is,  1  think,  as  amiable  a  child 
as  ever  I  knew.  He  is  now  13  years  ^nd  10  months  old.  I 
have  two  more  from  Delaware,  who  are  likely  boys.   Dear  Mr. 

P is  now  chaplain  in  the  army,  at  Fort  Edward,  who  will 

procure  two  likely  boys  from  the  Mohawks  if  he  can.     Please 
to  accept  most  hearty  salutations  from,    and  remember  in  your 
devoutest  hours  him,  who  is  with  most  sincere  respect. 
Yours,  in  our  common  Lord, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 
Mr.  Dennis  De  Berdt. 


To  the  Rev.  George  Whitejield. 

Lebanon,  November  8,  1757. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

Yours  of  February  9th  came  to  hand  June  9th.     Another 

of  November  5th,  1756  (with  one  from  Mr.  D B — . } 

came  October  1  st,  and  I  rejoice   your  hands  are  full  of  work  ; 

and  by  some  copies  per  favor  of  Mr.  W y,  do  understand 

your  labors  are  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  Thousands  in  New 
England,  wish  to  have  the  way  prepared  for  you  to  make  us 
aftother  visit.  I  believe  every  journey  you  have  taken  through 
New  England,  has  been  eminently  serviceable ;  some  more 
evidently  for  one  purpose  and  some  for  another.     Your  first. 


APPENmX.  ^15 

for  awakening  and  rousing  the  stupid  and  secure.  After  that, 
to  discredit  and  beat  down  a  false  religion.  Your  last  to  re- 
move prejudices  from  the  minds  of  many  against  you,  and  the 
work  of  God,  and  so  happily  prepare  your  way  for  another 
visit.  It  is  at  present  a  time  of  great  stupidity  and  insensibility 
HI  general,  notwithstanding  the  strong  means  God  has  been 
using  to  the  contrary. 

We  had  last  winter  a  blessed  season  here  in  my  family, 
school,  and  neighborhood.  And  there  was  also  a  most  surpris- 
ing, powerful,  genuine,  effectual  work  of  God,  at  New  Jersey 
College.  That  College  is,  no  doubt;,  a  blessed  nest  of  young 
christians.  A  most  hopeful  and  joyful  omen  of  great  gospel 
good  to  Zion  nigh  at  hand.  But  ray  dear  sir,  you  will  condole 
the  death  of  that  dear  man,  Mr.  President  Burr.  My  father, 
my  father,  the  chariots  of  Israel  and  the  horsemen  thereof! — 
J\Ir.  Edwards,  of  Stockbridge,  is  chosen,  and  I  hear  is  gone  to 
supply  his  place. 

I  have  been  diligently  pursuing  the  advice  of  Lord  H ~ 

in  the  affair  of  our  school.     President  C p  has  made  a 

bold  stand  of  late  against  arminians ;  they  do  pay  him  off 

he  begins  to  think  that  new-light  ministers  (as  they  are  called) 
are  his  best  friends.  ^Tis  something  likely  he  will  be  willino- 
to  hear  you  in  the  C.  H.  when  you  come.  He  is  quite  zealous 
on  the  right  side. 

Mr.  Occum,  the  Long  Island  Indian,  is  in  a  poor  state  of 
health,  almost  worn  out  with  labor.  The  Hon.  Commissioners 
of  Boston,  wrote  to  Mr.  Pomeroy  and  myself,  to  call  in  proper 
persons  to  join  u?,  and  examine  and  judge  of  the  expediency 
of  ordaining  him  to  the  pastoral  office,  and  to  do  it  if  we  thought 
proper ;  but  his  sickness  has  delayed  the  affair. 

We  rejoice  to  hear  of  a  revival  of  religion  in  the  established 

church.     I  believe  a  number  here  remember  you  continuallv- 

in  their  prayers.     I  ask  the  like  favor  of  you,  for. 

Rev.  and  dear  sir. 

Yours  in  the  dear  Jesus, 

ELEAZAU  WHEELOCK. 
Rci.  George  Whiiejidd. 


2l6  APPENDIX. 

To  Mr.  Dennis  De  Berdt,  at  London. 
\etY  Dear  Sir, 

Your  most  agreeable  favor  of  May  6th,  came  to  hand 
three  days  ago,  which  I  read  with  much  satisfaction,  and  now 
thank  you  for  the  renewed  testimony  of  your  respect  and  read- 
iness further  to  serve  the  important  design  of  our  school. 

I  have  found  (especially  at  times)  much  peace  and  quiet  in 
putting  the  affairs  of  the  school  wholly  over  into  the  hands  of 
the  great  governor  of  all  things,  and  in  waiting  upon  him  for 
the  issue  The  prospect  hath  looked  to  me  exceeding  fair,  and 
the  probability  of  success,  beyond  any  thing  that  has  yet  been 
attempted,  and  especially  of  late,  since  the  success  of  his  Ma- 
jesty's arms  at  Cape  Breton,  Frontinac,  and  on  the  Ohio,  (if  the 
late  report  of  their  taking  Fort  Duquesne  be  a  truth  ;)  but  God's 
judgments  are  a  great  deep,  and  his  way  is  in  the  sea.  We 
often  think  this  or  that  way  best  ;  but  God's  thoughts  are  not 
as  ours ;  Providence  steers  quite  another,  and  better  course. 
But  if  this  affair  be  of  God  (as  I  can't  yet  but  think  it  is,  and 
that  He  designs  to  own  and  prosper  it)  I  don't  think  it  strange, 
if  we  meet  many  and  great  difficulties  in  our  way.  There 
seems  plain  necessity  of  them,  to  hide  pride  from  man,  and 
keep  up  our  trust  and  dependance  upon  him,  who  worketh  all 
in  all.  The  political,  as  well  as  religious  reasons  in  favor  of  it, 
are  so  many  and  great,  as,  if  duly  weighed,  it  seems  to  me, 
must  prevail.  I  think  it  my  duty  to  leave  nothing  within  my 
power  undone,  which  may  be  done  in  favor  of  it. 

Mr.  P y>  in  a  late  letter  from   Fort  Edward,  writes  me, 

that  the  talk  is  revived  of  their  making  another  push  this  fall, 
against  Carrilons  and  Crown  Point,  that  they  learn  by  deserters 
from  the  French,  that  they  are  in  great  fears  of  an  attack — 
are  fortifying  where  our  people  landed  in  their  late  attempt, 
that  the  French  have  plenty  of  provisions  at  their  forts ;  but  a 
famine  is  much  feared  in  Canada.  General  Amherst  is  on  his 
way  to  the  lake,  with  a  reinforcement  of  tiOOO  men.  We  un- 
derstand that  our  men  have  grown  sickly,  and  much  dispirited, 
through  long  incarnpmcnt  and  a  conduct  of  jiflairs,  so  very  con- 


APPENDIX  2 1 7 

trary  to  such  high  spirits,  and  such  engagedness  to  push  for- 
ward, the  design  which  they  sat  out  with. 

The  name  of  the  Right  Honorable  WiUiam  Pitt,  is  very  deaf 
to  New  England. 

I  took  the  freedom  to  read  your  former  letter  to  my  congre- 
gation, and  if  I  shall  think  this,  or  any  other  I  may  receive 
from  you,  may  be  for  their  edification  ;  I  trust  you  will  account 
that  a  sufficient  excuae. 

This  good  opportunity  by  Mr.  Peters,  who  is  going  home  for 
sacred  orders,  is  unexpected,  and  gives  me  but  short  time  to 
write.  May  God  make  him  a  blessing. — 1  am,  dear  sir,  witk 
the  most  sincere  allection  and  respect. 

Yours,  in  the  dearest  bonds, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK, 

Mr.  Dennis  De  Berdt. 


From  the  Rev,  William  Tennant. 
Hev.  and  very  Dear  Brother, 

I  thank  you  for  your  two  brotherly  and  loving  letters  ; 
they  were  refreshing  to  me,  as  containing  not  only  most  un- 
deserved expressions  of  love  to  my  person  ;  but  undoubted 
evidences  of  unwearied  pains  to  promote  the  kingdom  of  our 
Lord,  Christ.  Go  on  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  ',  my  soul  says, 
God  speed — 

Your  last  I  received    2Sth  ult. :   I  laid  it  before   the  corres- 
pondents ;    they  approve  of   your  change  for  J b,  not  in 

the  least  suspecting,  either  your  prudence,  or  probity.  You 
are  desired,  to  take  care  of  him  at  our  expence,  until  next 
May  J  when  (if  God  will)  he  is  expected  at  the  College.     It  is 

28 


218  /  APPENDIX. 

judged  Inexpedient  to  send  the  other  boys  this  winter,  as  year 
charter  is  in  suspence. 

I  am  glad  to  hear  the  Indians  under  your  tuition,  are  in  any 
degree  promising ;  it  is  an  encouragement  to  wait  spiritual 
blessings,  in  the  Lord's  time.  Let  the  boys  know  their  friends 
are  well,  and  that  we  require  them  to  serve  God,  and  mind 
their  books. 

It  will  refresh  your  heart,  dear  Sir,  to  know  that  our  province 
has,  in  consideration  of  all  the  Indian  claims  to  lands  in  this 
part  of  it,  purchased  a  tract  of  land  containing  near  3000  acres, 
to  be  a  possession  for  them    and  theirs  forever.     It  is  the  same 

tract  that  our  dear  brother  B d  chose  for  them  ;  but  could 

not  purchase  it,  though  he  incessantly  labored  for  it.  It  is 
now  made  theirs,  in  a  time,  and  way  hardly  expected  j  it  is 
surely  the  doings  of  our  Lord,  to  whom  be  all  the  glory. 

The  society,  our  constituents,  have  also  ordered  us  to  draw 
for  c£300  sterling,  for  the  purchase  of  land  for  the  Indians, 
which,  with  that  already  obtained,  will  be  an  ample  medium 
for  their  support.  This  surprising  providence  has  almost  per- 
suaded my  infidel  heart  to  believe,  that  the  blessed  Lord  has 
yet  in  reserve,  something,  both  good  and  great  for  the  poor 
heathen  among  us.  It  will  surely  much  more  animate  you, 
my  dear  brother,  to  wait  for  the  accomplishment  of  your  truly 
noble  design  of  a  charter.  The  hearts  of  kings  as  well  as  go- 
vernors being  in  the  same  holy  and  compassionate  hand. 

I  am,  in  the  best  of  bonds. 

Yours,  &c. 
WILLIAM  TENNANT. 

'Freehold,  December  6,  IT 53*^ 


APPENDIX.  219 

From  the  Rev,  Samuel  Davis,  President  o/'Nassau-IIall  College. 
SIR, 

I  thank  you  for  your  congratulations  upon  my  inaugura- 
tion into  an  office,  the  prospect  of  which  afforded  me  more  anx- 
ious suspence,  for  8  or  9  long  months,  than  any  turn  of  my 
whole  life,  though  full  of  unexpected  occurrences.  If  I  find 
by  the  event,  that  my  divine  Lord  does  not  so  resent  the  guil- 
ty imperfections  of  ray  past  services,  as  to  refuse  receiving  any 
future  at  my  hand,  but  shall  still  condescend  to  emptoy  me,  I 
shall  always  esteem  it  one  of  the  richest  and  most  astonishing 
favors,  to  one  of  the  unworthiest  of  his  servants.  I  hope,  my 
dear  Sir,  your  prayers  will  contribute  their  share  towards  my 
public  usefulness,  in  my  present  important  station.  If  I  be 
useful  at  all,  it  certainly  must  be  the  atchievment  of  believing 
prayer. 

Your  apostolic  scheme  of  an  Indian  School,  I  was  informed 
of  pretty  fully  by  my  worthy  friend,  Mr.  De  Berdt.  I  am  sor- 
ry, that  like  every  other  good  design,  it  meets  with  difficulty  in 
the  execution.  You  may  assure  yourself  of  all  my  little  inter- 
est in  its  favor,  on  both  sides  the  Atlantic.  Its  good  effects 
will  very  much  depend  upon  the  character  of  the  managers. 
This  I  infer  from  what  I  have  seen  in  Virginia ;  there  an  Indian 
School  has  been  erected  above  half  a  century,  well  endowed, 

by  the  gre.tMr,  B ;    but  it  never  yet  has  produced  one 

scholar,  as  far  as  I  have  heard,  that  has  been  of  the  least  ser- 
vice towards  civilizing  or  christianizing  his  countrymen.  On 
this  account  I  rejoice  that  you  have  go  great  a  hand  in  the  pre- 
sent affair.     May  the  Lord  bless  you  and  it. 

You  have  long  been  my  friend,  though,  perhaps  you  have 
not  known  it ;  and  I  have  often  talked  you  over,  as  a  familiar 
subject,  especially  with  my  once  favorite  friend,  Mr.  Daven- 
port ;  now  a  blessed  inhabitant  of  heaven, 


520  APPENDIX. 

YQur  quondam  pupil  J b,  behaves  well,  and  makes  good 

progress  in  learning  ;  and  you  can  hardly  think  how  pleased 
I  am,  to  look  upon  him  among  the  students  of  a  fairer  color* 
If  he  should  turn  out  a  christian,  as  well  as  a  scholar,  he  may 
be  the  instrument  of  some  happy  revolution  among  his  savage 
countrymen. 

You  see,  I  only  throw  out  a  few  incoherent  fragments  of 
thought;  and  in  my  present  hurry,  I  can  do  no  more.  You, 
I  hope,  have  more  leisure  to  oblige  a  friend  :  therefore,  dear 
sir,  write  to  me  often  and  at  large.  I  deserve  no  comfort ; 
but  I  often  need  it,  to  keep  me  from  sinking  under  the  burden 
of  my  office. 

How  should  I  rejoice  to  see  you  ! — En  erit  unquani ! 

With  the  heart  of  a  friend  and  brother,  I  am.  Rev.  Sir, 
Your  very  affectionate  humble  servant, 

SAMUEL  DAVIS; 

NassaU'Hall,  Octobers,  1759. 


To  Mr,  Dennis  De  Berdt,  at  London. 

Lebanon,  November  20,  1759. 

SIR, 

Yours  of  March  24th,  after  a  long  passage,  came  safe  to 
hand.  We  are  still  pursuing  the  aflair  of  our  Charity  Indian 
School,  with  as  much  and  more  courage  than  ever.  The  oc- 
currences of  this  year  have  a  most  favorable  aspect,  on  our 
undertaking.  God  has  done  marvellous  things  for  us  and  our 
nation,  by  his  own  right  hand,  and  his  holy  arm.  The  sur- 
prising success  of  our  northern  forces,  have  opened  the  door 
wide  for  our  great  design ;  and  if  God  shall  still  as  he  has 
hitherto  done,  like  himself,  so  bear  with  the  ingratitude .  and 
baseness  of  his  people,  as  to  succeed  further  attempts,  and  ac- 


*-    A'PPBNDIX.  221 

cording  to  the  present  fairest  human  probability,  subject  the 
remainder  of  our  northern  enemy,  to  the  British  Crown,  it  seems 
there  will  be  nothing  in  the  way,  but  on  our  part,  to  hinder 
the  fullest  execution  of  what  is  proposed.  Such  is  the  prospect 
that  we  feel  impatient  of  delay,  and  determine  to  fill  up  our 
School  with  well  chosen  Indian  boys,  as  fast  as  we  can,  and 
not  expose  ourselves  to  the  censure  of  presumptuous  and  head- 
long, in  our  proceedings  ;  and  we  hope  that  God  will  open 
the  hearts  of  the  good  people  in  England,  to  contribute  liber- 
ally to  our  assistance. 

Mr  Occum,  the  Indian  whom  I  educated  some  years  ago,  is 
ordained  by,  and  belongs  to  a  godly  presbytery,  on  Long 
Island.  1  expect  he  will  shortly  visit  me,  and  preach  in  my 
pulpit,  if  his  journey  to  the  Cherokees  don't  prevent  it.  And 
by  report  which  we  have  from  that  quarter,  the  door  for  such 
a  mission,  as  was  designed,  is  shut  at  present. 

Perhaps  God  designs  to  carry  on  this  affair  with  less  show 
and  popularity,  and  in  a  way,  in  which  there  will  be  more 
forcible  arguments,  for  a  continual  looking  to,  and  dependance 
upon  him  for  daily  supplies  for  it,  than  we  have  yet  thought' 
of.  Hovvever  it  is  enough  for  us,  if  the  way  of  our  duty  be  en- 
lightened step  by  step,  and  that  Zion  and  all  things  which  con- 
cern her,  are  in  the  hands,  and  at  the  direction  and  disposal  of 
her  King,  who  is  given  to  be  head  over  all  things  to  her,  and 
who  has  set  her  as  a  seal  upon  his  arm,  and  a  seal  upon  his 
heart.  Oh !  how  sweet  was  that  word  in  yours,  *  Let  Immanuel 
be  our  peace.* 

Please,  my  dear  sh',  to  accept  most  effectionate  salutation 
from,  and  remember  in  your  daily  approaches  to  God, 

Yours,  most  heartily, 

ELEAZAR  WIIEELOCK. 

Mr-  Bainis  Ds  Berdt, 


222  '  APPENDIX. 

To  Mr,  Demiis  De  Berdt,  at  London. 

Lebanon,  December  17,  1759, 
My  Dear  Sir, 

Yours  by  Mr.  Peters,  came  to  hand  a  few  days  ago.  I 
thank  you  heartily  for  repeated  expressions  of  brotherly  affec- 
tion. Many  things  in  the  dispensation  of  God's  Providence  of 
late,  greatly  encourage  our  hope,  that  the  time  of  his  mercy 
towards  the  benighted  pagans  of  this  land  is  near  at  hand  ;  nor 
do  any  difficulties,  we  meet  with  in  the  execution  of  what  we 
have  proposed,  at  all  discourage  a  further  prosecution  of  it.  A 
number  of  gentlemen  may,  and  likely  will,  if  properly  applied 
to,  freely  give  their  public  approbation  and  testimony,  in  favor 
of  the  grand  design,  and  of  the  method  proposed  for  executing 
the  same.     And  they    are  of  opinion   that  such   testimonials 

will  have  equal  weight  at  home,  as  the  act  which  Lord  H x 

proposed.  I  should  be  very  glad  of  your  thoughts  in  this  matter. 
A  charter  from  the  crown  which  will  not  limit  us  to  a  particular 
government,  we  think  for  many  reasons  to  be  much  the  most 
eligible.  However,  we  determine  to  continue  it  and  pursue  it, 
as  a  Charity  School,  and  make  it  as  useful  as  we  can. 

Sir,  I  heartily  thank  you  for  the  service  you  did  the  public, 
in  publishing  President  Davis*  serious,  seasonble,  and  animat- 
ing sermon  to  the  soldiery,  &c. 

Dear  Sir,  I  heartily  accept  your  challenge,  and  purpose,  by 
the  grace  and  help  of  him,  who  worketh  all  in  all,  to  meet 
you  at  the  place  appointed,  the  Lord  mercifully  equip  us  with 
the  whole  armour  of  God,  that  we  may  strive  successfully — 
a  few  days  more,  and  we  have  done  all  that  we  can  do  for  the 
advancement  of  the  kingdom  of  oar  glorious  Redeemer,  and 
the  salvation  of  the  souls  of  men.  Oh  !  that  I  had  not  given 
such  occasion,  to  look  back  with  regret,  upon  the  misimprove- 
ment  of  the  few  talents,  committed  to  me  for  that  great  pijr- 


APPENDIX.  li'iCJ 

pose.  I  don't  tell  you,  how  much  I  love  you,  or  how  pleased 
I  should  be  to  commune  with  you  face  to  face.  Well,  by  the 
by,  I  hope,  distance  and  darkness,  and  every  impediment  will 
be  removed.  Our  intercourse  most  free,  our  communion  sweet, 
the  subject  most  glorious,  our  eyes  employed  in  beholding,  and 
our  tongues  eternally  in  speaking  the  glories  of  our  Immanuel. 
Then  we  shall  remember,  and  with  joy  unspeakable,  recount 
all  the  steps  of  divine  Providence  towards  us.  Then  will  all 
the  mysteries  of  it  be  unfolded,  our  hearts  perfectly  approve  af, 
and  the  glory  of  him,  who  has  the  government  upon  his  shoul- 
ders, shine  with  meridian  brightness  in  the  whole.  Do  we 
wait  ?  Do  we  hope  for  this  ?  V/hat  manner  of  persons  then 
ought  we  to  be  ?  Alas !  how  much  do  I  fall  short  of  living 
answerable  to  such  a  hope.  Dear  Sir,  pray  much  for  him,  who 
is,  with  all  brotherly  affection. 

Yours,  in  the  dearest,  sweetest  bonds, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 
Mr.  Dennis  De  Berdt. 


From  the  Rev.  George  Whitejidd. 

London,  Aug.  30,  i760. 
My  very  deax-  Friend, 

I  shall  shew  your  letter  to  some  members  of  the  Scotch  So- 
ciety, for  promoting  the  gospel,  and  see  if  some  annual  allow- 
ance cannot  be  procured  towards  your  charitable  design.  I 
humbly  hope,  it  will  take  place  in  time — had  I  a  converted  In- 
dian scholar,  that  could  preach  and  pray  in  English,  something 
might  be  done  to  purpose. 

Your  affair,  I  trust,  will  come  upon  the  carpet  in  due  time — 
Oh  that  our  conquests  may  be  overruled  for  the  furtherance  of 


2124  APPENDIX. 

the  gospel  among  the  heathen  !  I  fear  our  success  only  makes 
us  worse  at  home — The  most  sacred  things  are  now  blasphem- 
ed with  the  greatest  applause  upon  the  stage — Satan  rages — 
well  he  mav — daily  inroads  are  made  upon  his  kingdom — as  I 
have  the  honor  of  being  mimicked  in  the  theatre,  hundreds  flock 
to  see  the  original — all  hail  such  reproach.  Now  I  trust  I  be- 
gin to  be  a  diciple  of  Jesus* 

Yours,  most  affectionately. 

In  our  common  Lord, 

GEORGE  WHITEFIELD, 


STb  his  Excellency  Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst. 

Lebanon,  in  Connecticut,  Sept.  22,   1760. 
SIR, 

I  beg  leave  to  congratulate  your  Excellency,  on  the  many 
conquests  and  acquisitions  in  America,  with  which  God  has 
honored  you,  and  especially  the  last  which  finishes  the  grand 
design,  you  have  been  so  long,  and  with  so  great  fatigue  pur- 
suing, and  which  now  fills  the  hearts  of  all  his  Majesty's  loyal 
subjects,  especially  in  this  land,  with  a  joy  and  pleasure  be- 
yond any  event  of  this  nature  heretofore,  and  will  make  your 
name  and  memory  dear  to  the  numerous  subjects  of  this  bene- 
fit, to  the  latest  posterity. 

And  as  there  is  now  a  wider  door  than  ever  opened  for  the 
christianizing  the  nui?  '^rous  pagans  in  this  land,  and  bringing 
them  to  a  proper  subjection  to  the  crown  of  Great  Britain  (a  de- 
sign which  I  doubt  not  your  Excellency  will  rejoice  to  be  in- 
strumental in  promoting)  so  I  presume  to  inform  your  Excel- 
lency, that  a  number  of  ministers  of  the  gospel,  before  the 
commencing  of  the  present  war,  entered  upon  a  design  to  erect 
a  Charitv  School,  in  order  to  educate  well  chosen  vouth,   of 


APPENDIX,  225 

the  several  tribes  and  nations  of  Indians,  in  this  land,  and  fit 
them  for  a  mission  on  the  important  errand,  to  their  respective 
tribes ;  to  whom  they  may  be  able  to  communicate  the  threat 
things  of  our  holy  religion  in  their  own  language,  and  without 
a  thousand  embarrassments  and  difficulties,  which  are  wont  to 
attend  an  English  mission.  We  have  used  some  endeavours  for 
the  Royal  favor  of  a  charter. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Pomeroy,  who  has  attended  your  Excellency 
in  the  present  expedition,  in  the  capacity  of  chaplain  to  Col. 
Fitches  regiment,  is  one  of  the  ministers  connected  in  the  af- 
fair, and  is  able  to  give  your  Excellency  a  more  full  account 
of  it,  if  desired. 

The  humanity,  condescension,  and  benevolence.  Sir,  which 
make  so  amiable  a  part  of  your  Excellency's  character,  especi- 
ally as  they  are  connected  with  other  parts  of  it,  have  embold- 
ened me  to  presume  on  the  freedom  I  have  here  used,  and  I 
am  persuaded  you  will  allow  that  this  consideration,  viz.  the 
enlarging  the  kingdom  of  the  Redeemer,  and  promoting  the  in- 
terest of  his  Majesty's  crown,  and  not  any  interest  of  my  own, 
being  my  governing  motives  herein,  ought  in  some  measure,  if 
not  wholly  to  excuse  me,  who  am,  with  highest  esteem. 
Your  Excellency's  most  humble. 

And  most  obedient  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


Frojn  the  Rev.   George  JVIdteJield. 

London,  December  12,   1760. 
My  verj'  dear  Mr.  Wheelock, 

I  have  but  just  time  to  inform  you,  that  upon  mentioning, 
and  a  little  enforcing  your  Indian  affair,  the  Lord  of  all  Lords 
put  it  into  the  heart  of  the  Marquis  of  Lothian  to  put  into  my 
hands  fifty  pounds  sterling.  You  will  not  fail  to  send  his  Lord- 
ship, under  cover  to  me,  a  letter  of  thauks;  and  also  a  particular 
^9 


226  APPENDIX. 

account  of  the  progress  your  school  makes,  and  the  prospect  of 
its  being  more  and  more  extended.  Now  the  great  God  has 
given  us  Canada,  what  will  become  of  us,  if  we  do  not  improve 
it  for  his  glory,  and  the  conversion  of  the  poor  heathens  ?  But  I 
fear,  I  fear — Satan  is  doing  what  he  can  here  to  bring  the  work 
of  God  into  contempt,  by  blasphemy  and  ridicule  from  both 
theatres.  But  you  know  how  the  bush  burned,  but  was 
not  consumed — and  why  ?  Jesus  was,  and  is  in  it.  Hallelujah ! 
But  I  must  not  enlarge.  The  ship  I  fear  will  be  gone — write 
explicitly  and  strongly — my  hearty  love  awaits  the  Indian  lambs, 
and  all  that  are  so  kind  as  to  inquire  after,  ray  very  dear  friend. 

Yours,  &c.  in  our  glorious  Jesus, 

GEORGE  WHITEFIELD. 


F)'077i  the  Rev.  Samuel  BuelL 

East-Hampton,  January  13,  1761. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

These  in  the  utmost  haste,  inform  that  Mr.  Occum  is  go- 
ing upon  a  mission  among  the  Oneida  Indians,  as  soon  as  the 
season  will  permit,  divine  providence  concurring.  They  have 
sent  in  the  most  pressing  and  moving  manner,  for  a  minister  to 
be  sent  to  them.  Several  letters  have  come  to  hand  (I  mean  to 
Mr.  Occum  and  myself)  from  gentlemen  westward ;  part  of 
which  I  would  now  transcribe,  had  I  a  minute's  time.  But  I 
must  only  observe,  a  glorious  door  seems  opening  for  their  be- 
ing evangelized,  and  for  promoting  your  important  school.  If 
you  can  now  do  any  thing,  to  promote  Mr.  Occum  in  doing  the 
work  of  an  evangelist,  pray  do  it,  and  that  as  soon  as  possible. 

With  cordial  salutation,  I  am,  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 
Your  unworthy  brother, 

SAMUEL  BUELL. 

Hev,  Mr,  WlieelocL 


APPENDIX.  227 

From  the  Rev.   George  Vtliitefield. 

London,  February  21,   17G1. 
My  very  Dear  Friend, 

Some  time  ago  I  informed  you  of  a  benefaction  of  fif- 
ty pounds  from  the  worthy  Marquis  of  Lothian,  for  your  Indian 
School.  I  hope  you  have  received  my  letter,  and  that  the  Lord 
prospers  your  handy  work.  The  Redeemer  is  very  good  to  us 
here.  We  have  evil  and  good  report ;  but  all  works  for  good. 
I  hope  you  pray  for  me — indeed  I  do  for  you  and  all  my  dear 
New  England  friends. 

Yours,  &c.  in  our  common  Lord, 

GEORGE  WHITEFIELD. 


To  the  Hon.  Sir   William  Johnson. 

Lebanon,  .Tune — 176L 
SIR, 

Your   public  character,  the  honor  and  bounty  of  the 

crown  conferred  upon  you,  and  your  situation  among,  and  con- 
cern for  the  Indian  Natives,  all  invite  me  to  take  the  freedom 
to  represent  to  you  the  design  of  a  Charity  School  instituted  in 
their  favor,  and  act  the  part  of  a  beggar  in  tt|eir  behalf,  con- 
vinced of  the  great  neglect  of  this  land,  in  using  so  few  and 
feeble  endeavours  to  polish  and  christianize  them.  We  have 
been  persuaded,  that  the  education  of  some  of  their  sons  in  the 
liberal  arts  and  sciences,  as  well  as  in  the  knowledge  and  prac- 
tice of  the  protestant  religion,  and  the  fitting  of  some  for  mis-  * 
sionaries  among  their  respective  tribes,  might  have  a  happy 
effect  to  guard  them  against  the  influence  of  Jesuits  ;  be  an  an- 
tidote to  their  idolatrous  and  savage  practices  ;  attach  them  to 
the  English  interest,  and  induce  them  to  a  cordial  subjection 
to  the  crown  of  Britain,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped,  to  a  subjection 
to  the  king  of  Zion^ 


228  APPENDIX. 

Upon  my  desire  the  Rev.  John^Bralnard  sent  me,  thirteen 
months  ago,  two  likely  Indian  boys  of.  the  Delaware  tribe,  to 
be  qualified  as  missionaries  among  the  natives.  And  towards 
a  fund  for  the  support  of  a  charity  school,  Mr.  Moor  had  giv- 
en a  small  tenement  in  this  place,  and  for  the  same  purpose, 
we  have  obtained  subscriptions  for  five  hundred  pounds. 

We  could  wish.  Sir,  that  the  affair  might  appear  to  you  as 
it  does  to  us,  worthy  the  encouragement  of  all  great  and  good 
men,  and  that  you  will  account  it  not  the  least  of  your  honor, 
to  be  a  friend  and  patron  to  it. 

Please  to  pardon  my  boldness,  and  let  the  nature  of  the  de- 
sign excuse   one,  who  is,  though  unknown,  with  much  respect. 

Your  Honor's  very  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 

Honorable  Sir  William  Johnson,  Baron, 
Mount  Johnson. 


From  the  Hon.  Sir  William  Johnson. 

German  Flatts,  July  7th,  1761. 
Rev.  Sir, 

As  I  am  so  far  on  my  way  to  Detroit,  I  have  only  time  to 
acknowledge  the  receipt  of  yours,  and  to  acquaint  you  that  in 
compliance  therewith,  have  got  two  Mohawk  lads,  to  go  to 
you  in  order  to  be  instructed  ;  and  doubt  not  but  in  my  way 
through  the  other  nations,  I  shall  be  able  to  send  you  three  or 
four  more,  so  as  to  complete  the  number  you  desire. 

Mr.  Occum  is  now  here,  and  proceeds  with  me  tomorrow  tc 
the  Oneida  nation,  to  whom  I  shall  introduce  him,  and  advise 
them  cheerfully  and  thankfully  to  embrace  this  favourable  op- 


APPENDIX-  229 

portunlty,  which,   I  doubt  not  will  prove^greatly  to  their  tem- 
poral as  well  as  eternal  felicity. 

I  wish   you  all  the  success,  which  your   pious  undertaking 
deserves,  and  am.  Rev.  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  JOHNSON. 
Kev.  Mr.  Wheelock. 


From  the  Hon.  Sir  William  Johnson. 

Fort  Johnson,  November  17,  1761. 
Re%'.  Sir, 

Yours  of  the  2d  inst.  I  had  a  few  days  ago  the  pleasure  of 
receiving  by  the  hand  of  Mr.  Kirkland.  I  am  much  pleased  to 
fmd  the  lads  I  sent  have  merited  your  good  opinion  of  them. 
I  expect  they  will  return,  and  hope  will  make  such  progress 
in  the  English  language,  and  their  learning,  as  may  prove  to 
your  satisfaction,  and  the  benefit  of  the  Indians,  who  are  really 
much  to  be  pitied. 

My  absence,  these  four  months,  has  prevented  my  design  of 
encouraging  some  more  lads  going  to  you,  and  since  my  re- 
turn (which  is  but  latel}')  I  have  not  had  opportunity  of  seeing 
old  or  young,  being  all  on  their  hunt.  When  they  come  back 
I  shall  talk  with,  and  advise  their  parents  to  embrace  this  fa- 
vourable opportunity  of  having  their  children  instructed,  and 
doubt  not  of  their  readines  to  lay  hold  of  so  kind  and  charita- 
ble an  offer. 

Mr.  Kirkland^s  intention  of  learninGf  the  Mohawk  lan^ua^ijc, 
I  much  approve  of,  as  after  acquiring  it  he  could,  when  quali- 
fied, be  of  vast  service  to  them  as  a  clergyman,  which  they 
much  want,  and  are  very  desirous  of  having. 

The  present  laudable  design  of  instructing  a  number  of  In- 
dian bovs,  will,  I  doubt  not,  when  more  known,  lead  several 


230 


APPENDIX. 


gentlemen,  to  contribute  towards  it,  and  enable  you  thereby, 
to  increase  the  number  of  scholars,  with  whom  I  shall  not  be 
backward  to  contribute  my  mite. 

I  have  given  in  charge  to  Joseph,  to  speak  in  my  name,  to 
any  good  boys  he  may  see,  and  encourage  to  accept  the  gen- 
erous ofit-r  now  made  them ;  vj/hich  he  promised  to  do,  and  re- 
turn as  soon  as  possible,  and  that  without  horses. 

In  case  there  should  not  a  sufficient  number  go  now,  I  will, 
on  return  of  the  Indians  from  hunting,  advise  them  to  send  as 
many  as  is  required. 

As  I  am  very  much  hurried  at  present,  must  beg  leave  to  re- 
fer you  to  Mr.  Kirkland  for  any  particulars  you  may  choose  to 
be  informed  of,  as  I  had  a  good  deal  of  conversation  with  him, 
regarding  the  present  state  and  dispositions  of  the  Indians  in 
general. 

I  wish  you  all  success  in  your,  undertaking,  and  am  with 
truth  and  sincerity.  Rev.  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient. 

Humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  JOHNSON. 


To  tlie  Right  Hon.  the  Marquis  of  Lothian, 

Lebanon,  March  29,   1763. 

My  Lord, 

If  your  Lordship  don't  think  the  perusal  of  the  enclosed 
narrative  will  be  too  great  a  waste  of  your  precious  time,  you 
may  perhaps  see  some  evident  signatures  of  a  divine  hand,  in 
the  progress  of  the  undertaking  hitherto.  And  I  have  the 
pleasure  to  inform  your  Lordship,  that  since  the  enclosed  was 
sent  to  the  press,  God  has  in  a  most  signal  manner  owned  our 
fcn(]eavours,  by  sending  a  spirit  of  conviction,  and  causing  us 


APPENDIX.  231 

to  see,  as  we  cannot  but  hope,  the  saving  effects  thereof,  in 
three  of  the  principal  Indian  youths  in  the  school.  It  is  pro- 
posed that  one   of  these  should  go  very  soon,  D ,  into 

the  country  of  the  Six  Nations,  in  the  capacity  of  interpreter 
to  Mr.  C — J — S,  the  young  gentleman  mentioned  in  my  nar- 
rative, who  has  kept  this  school  several  months,  gratis,  and 
designs  to  devote  himself  and  fortune  to  the  service  of  his  Re- 
deemer in  the  business  of  a  missionary  among  the  pagans.  And 
as  his  spirit  and  zeal  are,  so  I  account  his  other  accomplish- 
ments, for  that  business,  to  be  very  singular,  and  cannot  but 
hope  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  designs  to  make  him  an  instru- 
ment of  great  glory  to  his  name,  in  the  enlargement  of  his 
kingdom  on  this  continent. 

God  has  made  every  attempt  in  this  affair  hitherto  to  prosper, 
and  the  door  seems  continually  more  and  more  opening  for  the 
progress  of  it.  And  who  knows  w  hat  a  glorious  church  Christ 
Jesus  may  have  among  the  dispersed,  (as  I  have  sometimes 
thought  they  are)  of  the  house  of  Israel. 

Will  your  Lordship  please  to  accept  what  is  here  presented 
to  you,  as  an  acknowledgment  and  expression  of  the  sincerest 
duty  and  gratitude  from,  may  it  please  your  Lordship, 
Your  Lordship's 

Most  obedient,  and 

Most  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  ^YIIEELOCK. 


To  His  Excellency  General  Jeffrey  Amlierst,  Barut. 

Lebanon,  Connecticut,  April  2,  1763. 
May  it  please  ^'•our  Excellency, 

The  narrative  herewith  inclosed,  gives  your  Excellency 
some  short  account  of  the  success  of  my  feeble  endeavours, 
through  the  blessing  of  God  upon  them,  in  the  aflair  there 
related. 


232  APPENDIX. 

Your  Excellency  will  easily  see,  that  if  the  number  of 
youth  in  this  school  continues  to  increase,  as  it  has  done,  and 
as  our  prospects  are  that  it  will  do,  we  shall  soon  be  obliged 
to  build  to  accommodate  them,  and  accordingly  to  determine 
upon  the  place  where  to  fix  it.  And  I  would  humbly  submit 
to  your  Excellency's  consideration  the  following  proposal,  viz. 
That  a  tract  of  land,  about  fifteen  or  twenty  miles  square, 
or  so  much  as  shall  be  sufficient  for  four  townships,  on  the  west 
side  of  Susquehanna  River,  or  in  some  other  place  more  con- 
venient, in  the  heart  of  the  Indian  country,  be  granted,  in  fa- 
vor of  this  School.  That  said  townships  be  peopled  with  a 
chosen  number  of  inhabitants  of  known  honesty,  integrity,  and 
such  as  love  and  will  be  kind  to,  and  honest  in  their  dealings 
with  Indians. 

That  a  thousand  acres  of,  and  within  said  grant,  be  given  to 
this  school.  And  that  the  School  be  an  Academy  for  all  parts 
of  useful  learning  ;  part  of  it  to  be  a  College  for  the  education 
of  missionaries,  interpreters,  school  masters,  &c. ;  and  part  of 
it  a  school  to  teach  reading,  writing,  &c.  And  that  there  be 
manufactures  for  the  instruction  both  of  males  and  females, 
in  whatever  shall  be  useful  and  necessary  in  life,  and  proper 
tutors,  masters,  and  mistresses  be  provied  for  the  same.  That 
those  towns  be  furnished  w  ith  ministers  of  the  best  characters, 
and  such  as  are  of  ability,  when  incorporated  with  a  number 
of  the  most  understanding  of  the  inhabitants,  to  conduce  the 
the  aflairs  of  the  school,  and  of  such  missions  as  they  shall  have 
occasion  and  ability  for,  from  time  to  time.  That  there  be  a 
sufficient  number  of  laborers  upon  the  lands  belonging  to  the 
school ;  and  that  the  students  be  obliged  to  labor  with  them, 
and  under  their  direction  and  conduct,  so  much  as  shall  be  ne- 
cessary for  their  health,  and  to  give  them  an  understanding  of 
husbandry.  And  those  who  are  designed  for  farmers,  after 
they  have  got  a  sufticient  degree  of  school  learning,  to  labor 
coustantlv,  and  the  school  to  have  all  the  benefit  of  their  labor. 


APPENDIX.  C33 

and  they  the  benefit  of  being  instructed  therein,  till  they  are 
of  an  age  and  understanding  sufficient  to  set  up  for  themselves, 
and  introduce  husbandry  among  their  respective  tribes.  And 
that  there  be  a  moderate  tax  upon  all  the  granted  lands,  after 
the  first  ten  or  fifteen  years,  and  also  some  duty  upon  mills,  &c. 
which  shall  not  be  burdensome  to  the  inhabitants,  for  the  sup- 
port of  the  school,  or  missionaries  among  the  Indians,  &.c. 

By  this  mean  much  expence,  and  many  inconveniences  oc- 
casioned by  our  great  distance  from  them,  would  be  prevented, 
our  missionaries  be  much  better  supported  and  provided  for, 
especially  in  case  of  sickness,  &c.  Parents  and  children  be 
more  contented,  being  nearer  to  one  another,  and  likely  many 
persua/.'id  to  send  their  children  for  an  education,  who  are  now 
dissuadevi  irom  it,  only  on  account  of  the  great  distance  of  the 
School  from  them. 

The  bearer,  Mr.  C J S ,  is  able,  if  your  Ex- 
cellency desires  it,  to  give  you  a  more  full  and  particular  ac- 
count of  the  present  state  of  this  School,  having  been  tor  some 
time  the  master  and  instructor  of  it,  and  is  now  designed  with 
the  leave  of  Providence,  the  ensuing  summer,  to  make  an  ex- 
cursion, as  a  missionary  among  the  Indians,  with  an  interpret 
ter  from  this  school.  And  by  him  your  Excellency  may  fa- 
vour me  with  your  thoughts  on  what  1  have  proposed. 

I  am  with  sincerest  duty  and  esteem. 

May  it  please  your  Excellency, 

Your  Excellency's  most  obedient 

And  most  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK, 


30 


234  APPENDIX. 

To  the  Hon.  General  Li/man. 

Lebanon,  April  9,  1763. 
May  it  please  yoin  Honor, 

The  narrative  herewith  enclosed  will  give  you  some  account 
of  the  success  of  the  feeble  endeavors  I  have  used  in  the  af- 
fair therein  related  ;  and  you  will  see  that  if  the  number,  in 
this  school,  continues  to  increase,  as  it  has  done,  and  as  I  think 
our  prospects  are,  we  shall  soon  have  occasion  to  build,  in  or- 
der to  accommodate  them,  and  accordingly  to  determine  upon 
the  place  where  ta  fix  it,  most  for  the  advantage^  of  the 
great  design  we  have  in  view.  Several  places  have  been  pro- 
posed, viz.  among  the  new  settlements,  in  the  western  part  of 
the  Province  of  New  Hampshire.  And  to  encoura5;e  it.  Gov- 
ernor Wentworth  made  me  an  offer  of  a  tract  of  land,  if  I  would 
carry  it  there.  There  has  also  been  some  talk  of  the  western 
part  of  the  Province  of  Massachusetts  Bay.  But  I  have  seve- 
ral objections  against  each  of  those  places.  And  as  your  hon- 
or's character  and  influence  at  home  and  abroad  ;  and  your 
thorough  acquaintance  with  the  state  of  the  continent,  and  par- 
ticularly with  Indians  and  Indian  affairs,  enables  you  above 
any  man  I  know  in.  New  England  to  serve  and  promote  the  de- 
sign, so  your  moral  character,  and  especially  your  benevolent 
disposition  towards  mankind,  encourages  and  emboldens  me 
with  much  confidence  to  solicit  your  friendship  and  assistance, 
by  your  consent  "and  advice,  upon  this  occasion.  And  I  shall 
accordingly,  relying  upon  your  candor,  expose  m^^self  and  the 
affairs  to  j^ou,  in  the  most  open  manner,  and  submit  to  your 
consideration  and  censure  the  ixtUowing  proposal*.  1  have 
wrote  General  A upon  this  head,  and  to  the  same  pur- 
pose, and  if  your  honor  will  please  to  let  me  know  your  mind 
in  the  affair,  and  advise  me  of  any  thing  you  shall  think  use- 
ful to  me,   I  shall  be  greatly  obliged  to  you. 

*  See  the  preceding  letter  to  General  A . 


APPENDIX.  235 

I  bless  God  that  he  has  preserved  your  valuable  and  hnpor- 
tant  life,  in  your  late  dangerous  expedition,  and  given  your 
family  and  friends  an  opportunity  and  occasion  to  rejoice  in 
your  safe  return. 

Please  to  accept  most  sincere  esteem  and  respect  from,  Sir, 
Your  Honor's 

Most  obedient,  and 

Most  humble  servant, 

ELEAZ  AR '  WHEELOCK. 
The  Hon.  General  Lyman. 


Fro7n  the  Hon.  General  Lyman. 

Suffield,  Connecticut,  April  11,  1763. 
SIR, 

I  have  to  acknowledge  the   receipt  of  your  letter  by  Mr. 

S of  the  9th  instant,  and  am   very  much  obliged   to  you 

for  your  generous  sentiments  of  me ;  and  assure  you  I  shall 
always  be  very  glad  to  serve  you  personally,  and  much  more, 
the  generous  design  you  have  undertaken.  I  have  not  time  to 
digest  the  subject,  to  give  you  my  thoughts  in  particular,  nor 
do  I  think  you  want  them,  who  have  so  long  turned  your  mind 
on  that  affair,  and  are  so  well  able  to  judge  of  the  matter ;  but 
I  assure  you  I  am  well  pleased  with  the  thoughts  you  suggest, 
and  am  in  hopes  they  will  issue  well,  when  put  in  execution. 
I  shall  write  more  particular  before  I  go  home,  and  being  m 
haste. 

Your  most  obedient 

And  humble  servant, 

P.  LYMAN. 
Rev.  Eleazar  Wheelock. 


23ff  APPENDIX. 

From  Hi6  Excellency  General  Sir  JeJJ^rei/  Amherst,  Barni. 

Kew  York,  May  23,  1763. 

SIR, 

This  morning,  Mr.  S delivered  me  your  letter  of  the 

21st  Apn\,  with  the  narrative  enclosed,  which  I  have  perused. 
The  design  is  a  very  commendable  one,  and  I  should  be  ex- 
tremely happy  in  having  it  in  my  power,  to  be  any  ways  in- 
strumental in  civilizing  the  Indians,  and  promoting  seminaries 
of  learning  in  this  country  ;  but  as  the  disposal  and  settlement 
of  the  conquered  lands  in  America  must  be  determined  by  His 
Majesty,  and  that  there  is  reason  to  believe  the  same  is  now 
under  consideration  at  home  ;  I  can  only  advise  you  to  make 
application  there  ;  for  I  have  no  authority  whatever,  to  dispose 
of  any  lands  in  this  country.  You  cannot  have  a  better  patron 
than  the  nobleman  to  whom  you  have  dedicated  your  narra- 
tive, and  I  shall  be  very  glad  to  hear  that  your  application  is 
attended  with  success. 
.  I  am.  Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

JEFFREY  AMHERST. 
Jlev.  Eleazar  Wheelock. 


To  the  Right  Hon.  William,  Earl  of  Sterling. 

Lebanon,  Connecticut,  December  12,  1763. 
SIR, 

Your  Lordship  will  see,  by  the  enclosed  narrative,  (which 
begs  your  candid  acceptance)  the  design  which  has  been  on 
foot,  and  to  what  it  has  risen,  by  the  blessing  of  God.  And  by 
the  enclo^d  printed  copy  of  a  brief,  I  obtained  of  the  Hon. 
General  Assembly  of  this  government  last  May,  in  which  they 
were  unanimous,  your  Lordship  may  see  the  friendly  disposi- 
tion of  the  ruling  and  leading  part  of  this  Government,  towards 


APPENDIX.  237 

the  undertaking.  But  the  present  rupture  with  the  Indians, 
has  so  heated  the  spirits  of  great  numbers  among  our  people, 
that  the  Governor  and  Company  were  apprehensive  that  the 
collection  would  be  made  under  great  disadvantage,  and  that 
there  would  not  be  that  given,  which  would  be  honorable  for 
the  Government,  if  it  should  be  attempted  now,  and  therefore 
did,  at  their  session  in  October  last,  advise,  that  it  should  be 
delayed  till  a  more  favorable  prospect  should  invite  to  proceed 
therein.  And  supposing  this  to  be  the  way,  in  which  Pix^vi- 
dence  designed  supplies  for  this  school  at  present,  I  neglected 
to  seek  them  elsewhere,  which  now  gives  your  Lordship  an 
opportunity  to  shew  your  liberality,  at  a  time  when  it  is 
much  wanted. 

And  whatever  your  sentiments  shall  be  of  this  particular 
plan,  or  your  disposition  towards  the  encouragement  of  it ;  I 
pray  your  Lordship,  to  account  the  nature  and  importance  of 
the  design,  in  general,  to  be  sufticient  excuse,  for  the  boldness 
and  freedom  I  have  now  taken,  or  else  of  your  innate  good- 
ness, pardon  him,  who  is  not  willing  to  disoblige  you,  but  is, 
with  the  most  sincere  esteem  and  respect,  my  Lord, 

Your  Lordship's  most  obedient  and  , 

-  Most  humble  Servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 

2?/^/;^  Hon.  William,  Earl 
of  Sterling, 


To  William  Livingston,  Esq. 

Lebanon,  January  24,  1764. 

sm, 

I  am  not  a  little  affected  with  the  contents  of  yours,  of  the 
14thinst.  Such  liberality  in  one  congregation,  and  that  com- 
parativel}^  small,  by  reason  of  the  weather,  at  such  a  distance,  and 
BO  little  acquainted  with  the  atl'air,  and  so  mucli  of  late  done  hv 


238  APPENDIX. 

the  pagans  to  discourage  such  a  design,  and  raise  a  temper,  m 
the  more  unthinking  part  of  mankind,  very  different  from  cha- 
rity, is  in  my  opinion  truly  great  and  wonderful  ;  and  the  more 
affecting  as  it  comes  at  a  time  when  it  is  much  wanted.  May 
God  requite  their  benevolence  a  thousand  fold,  in  a  more  en- 
during substance.  I  hope  I  may  be  enabled  so  to  improve  it, 
and  that  the  success  of  endeavors  may  be  such,  as  may  give 
those  liberal  souls  occasion  for  the  most  easy  and  comfortable 
reflections,  that  it  was  well  bestowed  for  the  furtherance  of  the 
kingdom  of  our  common  Lord. 

As  to  the  remittance,  I  shall  commit  the  affair  to  Messrs. 
Ralph  and  Eleazar  Pomeroy,  of  Hartford,  with  instructions  and 
orders.  And  from  one  or  the  other  of  them,  you  will  likely 
hear  very  soon. 

Please  to   present  my  compliments,  in  the  most  respectfol 
manner,  to  each  of  those  good   gentlemen,  you  mention,  by 
whose  distinguished   zeal,  on  the    occasion,  the  cause  was  fa« 
vored  and  encouraged,  and  accept  sincerest  respect  from. 
Honored  Sir, 

Your  much  obliged  and  very 
Humble  Servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth. 

Lebanon,  Connecticut,  New  Eng.  March  1,  1764. 

ISJay  it  please  j'ovir  Lordship, 

It  must  be  counted  amongst  the  greatest  favors  of  God,  to 
a  wretched  world,  and  that  which  gives  abundant  joy  to  the 
friends  of  Zion,  that  among  earthly  dignities,  there  are  those 
who  cheerfully  espouse  the  sinking  cause  of  the  great  Re- 
deemer, and  whose  hearts  and  hands  are  open  to  minister  sup- 
plies for  the  support  and  enlargement  of  his  kingdom  in  the 
world. 


APPENDIX.  239 

As  your  lordship  has  been  frequently  mentioned  with  pleasure 
})y  the  lovers  of  Christ  in  this  wilderness,  and  having  fresh  as- 
surance of  the  truth  of  that  fame  of  yours,  by  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Whitefieid,  from  his  own  acquaintance  with  your  person  and 
character,  and  being  encouraged  and  moved  thereto  by  hin% 
I  am  now  emboldened,  without  any  other  apology  for  myself, 
than  that  which  the  case  itself  carries  in  its  very  front,  to 
solicit  your  Lordship's  favorable  notice  of,  and  friendship  to- 
wards, a  feeble  attempt  to  save  the  swarms  of  Indian  Natives 
in  this  land,  from  final  and  eternal  ruin,  which  must  unavoida- 
bly be  the  issue  of  those  poor  miserable  creatures,  miless  God 
shall  mercifully  interpose  with  his  blessing  upon  endeavors  to 
j/revent  it. 

The  Indian  Charity  School,  under  my  care  (a  narrative  of 
which,  herewith  transmitted,  humibly  begs  your  Lordship's  ac- 
ceptance) has  met  with  such  approbation,  and  encouragement 
from  gentlemen  of  character  and  ability,  at  home  and  abroad, 
and  such  has  been  the  success  of  endeavors  hitherto  used  there- 
"in,  as  persuade  las  more  and  more,  that  it  is  of  God,  and  a  de- 
vice and  plan,  which,  under  his  blessing,  has  a  greater  proba- 
bility of  success,  than  any  that  has  yet  been  attempted. 

By  the  blessing  and  continual  eare  of  heaven,  it  has  lived, 
and  does  still  live  and  flourish,  without  any  other  fund  appro- 
priated to  its  support,  than  that  great  One,  in  the  hands  of 
Him,  whose,  the  earth  is,  and  the  fulness  thereof. 

And  I  trust  there  is  no  need  to  mention  any  other  considera- 
tions to  prove  your  Lordship's  compassions,  or  invite  your  libe- 
rality on  this  occasion,  than  those  wiiich  their  piteous  and  per- 
ishing case  does  of  itself  suggest  ;  when  once  your  Lordship- 
shall  be  well  satisfied  of  a  proper  and  probable  way  to  raanilcot 
and  expresfi  the  same  with  success.  Which  I  do,  v.iih  the  ut- 
most cheerfulness,  submit  to  your  Lordship,  believing  your  de- 
termination therein,  to  be  under  the  direction  of  him  who  does 
all  things  well.     And  if  the  n;ituie  ana  imporlunce  of  the  case 


MO  APPENDIX. 

be  not  esteemed  sufficient  excuse  for  the  freedom  and  boldness 
I  have  assumed,  I  must  rely  upon  your  Lordship's  innate  good- 
ness to  pardon  him,  who  is  with  the  greatest  duty  and  esteem,^ 
jny  Lord, 

Your  Lordship*s  most  obedient 

And  most  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon. 

Lebanon,  March  7,  1764. 

Madam, 

By  the  narrative  of  the  Indian  Charity  School,  under  my 
care,  herewith  transmitted,  (which  humbly  begs  your  Lady- 
ship's acceptance)  you  may  see  the  design,  we  have  for  sever- 
al years  been  pursuing,  in  favor  of  those  swarms  of  savages  in 
this  wilderness,  who  are  yet  perishing  for  lack  of  vision. — 
And  nothing  but  a  sovereign  divine  influence,  in  concurrence 
w  ith  endeavors  used  against  the  most  stubborn  opposition  of 
their  savage  blindness,  brutish  lusts  and  passions,  can  now  at 
last  save  them  from  final  and  eternal  ruin. 

The  plan  we  have  been  pursuing  (which  has  never  yet  been 
fully  tried)  has  now  obtained  such  reputation  among  gentle- 
men of  character  far  and  near,  and  such  has  been  the  success 
of  endeavors  already  used  therein,  and  such  also  are  our  grow- 
ing prospects,  that  we  are  more  and  more  persuaded,  God  de- 
signs mercifully  to  own  it,  as  a  mean  to  make  his  name  known 
far  and  wide,  in  the  wilds  of  America. 

And  as  it  has  ri:-;en  from  small  beginnings,  to  what  it  now  is, 
amidst  and  against  many  and  great  discouragements,  and  has 
been  supported  only  by  the  liberality  of  God's  people,  without 
any  fund  appropriated  to  that  purpose,  and  still  depends  for 
its  support,  upon  some  source  alone  as  the  goodness  of  hini;, 


APPENDIX.  24 1 

\vho  has  the  hearts  of  all  in  his  hands :  so,  I  trust,  I  need  no 
other  arguments  to  move  your  Ladyship's  compassion  towards 
those  miserable  creatures,  or  to  obtain  the  benefit  of  your 
smiles  upon  this  great  undertaking,  than  their  truly  alfecting 
condition  may  of  itself  at  once  suggest  to  you ;  even  though 
you  should  be  so  disinterested  in  the  exercise  of  your  charity 
towards  them,  as  not  so  much  as  once  to  turn  your  thoughts 
upon  the  blessings  of  those  perishing  souls,  which  will  come 
upon  you,  or  upon  that  effectual  blessing  of  God,  which  will 
be  upon  such,  and  which  only  can  make  you  truly  blessed. 
The  perfecting  of  which,  God  gram  you  may  fully  know  when 
Christ  shall  exhibit  to  public  view,  his  account  of  your  works 
of  charity  for  his  name's  sake,  and  say  to  such,  come  ye  bless- 
ed of  my  father,  inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you  ;  for  I 
was  an  hungred  and  ye  gave  me  meat,  thirsty  and  ye  gave  me 
drink,  &.c. 

The  Rev.  Mr.  Whitefield  (by  whose  motion  and  encourage- 
ment I  have  assumed  this  boldness.)  has  lately  travelled  through 
New  England,  and  preached  as  his  broken  state  ol  health  would 
allow,  to  as  good  acceptance  as  ever  he  did.  He  is  now  at 
Boston,  and  designs  to  return  back  to  the  southern  governments, 
and  from  thence  to  England. 

My  heart  is  much  encouraged  and  my  hands  strengthened 
in  this  affair,  by  the  zeal  which  he  (who  seems  always  readv 
to  every  good  work)  shews  in  promoting  it.  I  re!y  upon  the 
nature  and  importance  of  the  cause  to  plead  for  me,  and  obtain 
your  pardon  for  the  boldness  and  freedom  herein  used  by  him, 
who  is  with  most  sincere  duty  and  esteem. 
Madam, 

Your  Ladyship's 

Most  obedient,  and 

Most  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 
The  CounUss  of  Huntingdon. 

31 


^42  APPENDIX. 

From  the  Rev.  John,  Erskine. 

March  15th  1704.      . 
Dear  Sir, 

I  have  before  me  your  letter  of  the  21st  of  September- 
Thai  which  you  mention  as  sent  me  by  Mr.  B ,  with  a 

copy  of  your  narrative,  has  never  come  to  hand.     By  Mr.  De 

Berdt's  order  I    paid   Mr.  D 's  donation  for  the  Indian 

School  to   Mr.   T .     I  heartily  agree  with  you,  that  the 

present  cloud  over  endeavours  to  christianize  the  Indians, 
should  not  moderately  discourage.  I  think  the  most  dis- 
couraging circumstance  of  all,  is,  that  when  God  has  so  w^on- 
derfully  enlarged  the  British  Territory,  Britain  should  do  so 
little  to  enlarge  the  empire  of  Zion's  king. 

I  hope  you  have  long  ago  received  the  present  of  books  from 
the  Edinburgh  society,  for  promoting  religious  knowledge,  vi^ith 
the  few  that  were  added  by  Mr,  D and  myself.  I  en- 
close you  our  society's  commission  for.a  board  of  correspondents 
in  Connecticut. 

I  am  glad  Mr.  Whitejield  intends  visiting  you.  He  has  been 
vour  sincere  and  zealous  friend,  or  rather  the  friend  of  the 
charitable  cause  in  which  you  are  engaged.  But  his  testimony, 
after  actually  witnessmg  the  state  of  your  school,  will  have 
much  additional  force. 

Wishing  that  the  God  of  all  grace  may  continue  to  prosper 
your  labours,  I  am.  Dear  Sir, 

Your  affectionate  brother  and  servant, 

JOHN  ERSKINE. 


From  the  Hon.  General  Li/nian. 

Licesterfield,  London,  April  2,   1764. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  delivered  your  letter  to  Mr.  Dennis  De  Beidt,  who  has 
shewn  me  great  respect  ever  since  I  have  been  here.     He  has 


APPENDIX.  243 

moved  nothing  publicly  about  your  School,  the  ministry  being 
much  crowded  with  business  ;  but.  expect  he  will  before  long. 
And  you  may  depend  upon  my  giving  all  the  assistance  in  my 
power  to  so  good  an  intention. 

Sir  Jeffrey  Amherst  is  clear  it  will  be  much  to  his  majesty's 
interest  to  fix  a  strong  settlement  between  the  Allegany 
mountains  and  the  Missippi,  and  will  give  me  all  the  assistance 
in  his  power,  as  he  tells  mc.     Of  the  same  opinion  is  the  Earl 

of  A ,  and  Mr.  J ,  and  many  more.     I  hope  I  shall 

gain  it,  and  shall  tack  your  school  to  it ;  and  God  grant  we  may 
both  be  happy  together.  My  proper  compliments  to  your 
family  and  friends. 

I  am  with  great  respect. 

Your  very  humbie  servant, 

P.  LYMAN. 

Ra\  Eleazar  Wheclock. 


To  the  Rev,  Mr.  Whitefield. 

Lebanon,  April  18th,  1764." 
:My  dear  IMr.  Whlteiield, 

When  we  parted  at  Norwich,!  found  I  had  not  half  unbosomed 
myself  to  you  ;  the  discouraging  apprehensions  I  found  you  to 
entertain  respecting  the  Indians,  made  deep  impressions  on  my 
mind.     However  that  is  removed. 

I  am  not  at  all  disquieted,  my  dear  brother,  my  hope  is  in 
God  alone.  I  believe  it  to  be  his  own  cause,  and  that  he  will 
not  forsake  it.  I  begin  a  little  sometimes  to  believe  his  provi- 
dence, and  have  just  begun  my  A  B  C,  and  begin  to  spell  a 
little  in  the  great  volumes  of  his  goodness,  which  are  ever  open 
before  me. 

I  know  the  kindness  of  your  heart,  and  your  zeal  to  promote, 
every  good  design,  and  I  need   say  no  more  on  this  head.    I 


244  APPENDTX. 

will  onlv  liint,  as  I  understand  you  are  designed  for  Rhode  Isl^ 
and,  that  neither  the  town  of  Providence  (where  God  once  greats 
ly  blessed  my  poor  labours)  nor  any  part  of  that  Government^ 
lias  ever  yer  been  desired  to  put  a  helping  hand  in  this  affair. 

I  find  it  difficult  to  put  out  the  boys,  who  are  designed  for 
"blacksmiths,  to  places  suitable  for  them;  and  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty is,  that  their  fellow  apJDrentices,  viz.  English  boys,  will  des- 
pise them,  and  treat  them  as  slaves  ;  which  I  apprehend  will  be 
of  hurtful  and  ruinous  consequences  to  them.  I  have  been  think- 
ing lately,  whether  I  had  not  better  hire  a  blacksmith,  and  set 
Inm  up  near  me,  and  let  him  have  a  number  to  instruct,  where  I 
may  have  the  government,  direction,  and  conduct  of  them.  It- 
may  be  done  without  any  cost  to  the  school;  if  it  should  be  thought 
better,  it  may  be  at  the  schools'  cost,  and  the  school  have  all 
the  profit  of  their  labour. 

I  am  of  opinion,  it  will  be  best  to  introduce  David  Fowler, 
Jacob  WoUey,  and  perhaps  Hezekiah  Calvin,  into  schools  among 
the  Indians,  as  soon  as  may  be;  perhaps  among  the  Oneidas, 
Onandagas,  or  at  Anchaguagee  and  Genings,  I  believe  thev  will 
do  very  well  in  that  business,  and  especially  if  Mr.  Charles  Jeffrci/ 
Smith  or  some  other  prudent  missionary  should  visit  them  a  few 
times  in  a  summer.  I  am  much  pleased  with  their  manly,  dis- 
creet, prudent,  christian  conduct  of  late. 

You  doubtless  have  had  or  will  soon  have,  a  more  particular 
account  than  I  am  able  to  give  you,  of  the  surprising  progress 
of  the  .work  of  God,  at  East  Hampton,  since  you  were  there. 

Mr.  B writes,   that  it  exceeds  what  he   ever  saw,   read  qr 

heard  of  since  the  Apostles  days.  Scores  converted  in  a  i^w 
days,  &c. 

I  have  said  nothing  of  A -,  supposing  you  have  received 

niy  former.     It  ap|-ears  probable  that  it  is  the  will  of  God  he 


APPENDTX-    •  245 

should  go  OB  his  proposed  mission  this  spring.     Dear  Sir,  praj', 
pray,  tor 

Yours'  in  the  dearest  bonds, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 

P.  S.     Give  most  sincere  respects  to  Mr.  W — • — ,  to  whom 
i  wish  health,  &c. 


/  From  the  Hon.  Sir  William  Johnson. 

Johnson  Hall,  April  2,5th,    1764. 
SIR, 

I  have  received  your  favour  of  the  17th  inst.  by  the  hands  of 

Mr.  D ,  and  do  assure  you  that  1  did  not  get  a  letter  from 

3^ou  for  several  months  before,  though  I  am  informed  you  wrote 
to  me  several  times.  J is  just  returned  from  an  expedi- 
tion against  the  enemy,  who  have  abandoned  their  towns,  of 
which  three  were  burned,  with  four  villages,  consisting  in  all 
of  about  two  hundred  houses,  built  vvith  squared  logs,  and  vast 
quantities  of  corn,  &c.  Parties  are  now  in  pursuit  of  the  en- 
emy. 

I  shall  be  very  glad,  whenever  these  troubles  are  over,  to 
promote  your  pious  and  useful  undertaking,  by  procuring  j'ou 
more  scholars  ;  but  at  present  it  is  not  in  my  power,  as  all  those 
fit  to  travel,  will  accompany  the  rest  upon  service,  nor  could  it 
be  agreeable  to  the  nations  to  divert  them  from  it. 

I  am  with  esteem.  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  JOIINSOK 

Rev.  Mr.  WheelocL 


5246  APPENDIX. 

From  Mr.  Garret  Nodi. 

New  York,  May  27  Ih,  1764. 

Rev.  Sir, 

I  have  several  times  wrote  to  you,  but  have  never  received 
any  answer.  This  is  the  first  opportunity  I  have  had  of  sending 
you  the  books.  I  should  be  glad  to  hear  from  you,  and  to  know 
how  I  may  more  frequently  write  and  send  to  you. 

I  have  sent  the  bell — should  be  glad  of  a  list  of  what  more 
books  are  wanting.    I  am.  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

GARRET  NOELL.  ^ 


To  the  Rev.  George  Whitefield.  • 
♦  Lebanon,  June  29th,   1764-. 

My  dear  and  honored  Friend, 

I  sat  out  immediately  for  Concord  the  same  week  on  which 
you  left  Boston,  and  hoped  by  some  means  we  might  have  had 
an  interview  ;  but  on  the  road  I  heard  you  were  gone.  The 
assembly  at  Concord  readily  granted  my  prayer,  for  the  present 

year — met  with  dear  Messieurs  S and  P ,    according 

to  appointment — received  our    commission  with    letters,  &c. 

Doctor  G informs  us  that  <£lOO,  by  one  who  desires  to  be 

nameless,  waits  my  order,  whether  to  be  laid  out  in  lands,  or 
in  books  for  the  school. 

I  have  written  the  commissioners  to  meet  at  my  house,  next 
Wednesday,  in  order  to  form  themselves,  and  consider  the  expe- 
diency of  sending  Mr.  Occum  and  A on  a  mission  this 

year.     If  Mr.  Occum  goes  with  you  to  England,  he  may  have 
time  to  prepare  for  it  after  his  tour. 

I  have  received  the  globes  and  books  from  England  and  cot- 
land,  which  furnish  a  pretty  library  for  this  infant  iustitution. 


APPENDIX.  247 

Messieurs  S and  P advise,  if  we  should  conclude 

on  sending  Mr.  O and  A on  their  proposed  missions, 

it  will  be  best  for  Mr.  O to  wait  upon  you,  as  we  hope  by 

your  influence  he  may  be  furnished  with  necessaries  for  the  sup- 
port of  his  mission;  but  if  supplies  from  that  quarter  should 
fail,  they  will  risque  the  expence  themselves,  till  supplies  may 
be  had  elsewhere. 

O,  my  dear  Sir,  what  a  master  we  serve  !  We  have  noth- 
ing to  do  but  to  wait  the  notices  of  his  pleasure,  and  comply 
with  them,  or  rather  with  the  doing,  and  bear  him  witness,  that 
he  performs  all  things  for  us.  How  blessed  are  all  they  that  trust 
in  him  !  and  commit  all  their  ways  and  works  to  him  !  You 
know  very  well  the  peace  and  joy  from  this  source,  which  no 
man  can  take  away.  I  begin  to  see  how  reasonable  it  is  to 
trust  in  the  Lord  forever,  and  upon  what  just  grounds  our  Saviour 
says  "take  no  thought."  and  a  little  glimpse  I  find  sufficient 
to  keep  my  mind  quite  calm  in  a  most  stormy  and  tempestuous 
season. 

My  heart  is  with  you.  I  have  almost  grieved  that  I  could 
not  have  another  interview.  But  so  the  great  Governor  orders 
it,  and  I  believe  it  to  be  well. 

Dear  brother,  make  business  of  praying  for 

Yours,  in  the  dearest,  sweetest  bonds, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


July  S.  This  has  lain  by  till  now.  I  have  the  pleasure  to 
inform  you,  that  this  week  the  Commissioners  have  been  to- 
gether, and  formed  and  voted  to  send  Mr.  Occum,  provided  the 
London  Commissioners  will  release  him  from  their  service,  and 
have  ordered  me  to  write  them.  I  hope  they  will  view  the  ad- 
vantage to  the  cause,  from  bringing  Mv.  Occum  into  the  same 
plan  with  our  other  missionaries  and  school  masters  (to  be  sent 
next  spring,  if  supplies  for  them  may  be  had,  viz.  the  tw(!>  sen- 
ior Indians  of  the  school)  in  such  a  light  as  that  they  will  readily 


248  APPENDIX. 

yield  to  his  being  under  our  direction,  and  will  also  be  wili/ng 
to  continue  to  him  the  cfSO  they  have  voted. 

A is  not  yet  in  pay,  but  his  mission  is  referred  to  a  com- 
mittee, when  a  door  opens. 

The  most  of  the  Commissioners  are  in  high  spirits  to  prosecute, 
to  effect,  &c. 

Yours,  &c.  &c. 

Love  to  Mr.  W . 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCKv 

Rev.  George  Whitejield. 


To  the  Rev.  John  Ershine. 

Lebanon,  July  10th,  17  80. 
Rev.  and  honored  Sir, 

Yours  of  the  15th  March  w^ith  the  commission,  came  safe 
to  hand  about  three  weeks  ago.  I  have  also  received  the  books 
safe,  and  gratefully  acknowledge  the  favour,  both  to  me  and 
the  school.  Your  commissioners  met  and  formed  last  Wednes- 
day ;  and  I  feel  my  hands  strengthened,  and  heart  encouraged 
thereby  ;  and  account  it  a  great  token  of  God's  favour  towards 
the  general  design.  For  though  they  cannot  release  me  from 
the  main  care  and  burden  of  the  school,  yet  they  are  with  me, 
and  friendly  enough  to  lend  a  helping  hand  ;  and  especially,  to 
embrace  every  favourable  opportunity,  to  send  or  dispose  of 
missionaries,  as  divine  Providence  shall  direct,  and  point  out 
the  way  for  it.  And  my  hopes  of  a  harvest  in  the  pagan  wil- 
derness are  greater  than  ever. 

Two  of  my  Mohawk  boys,  I  am  well  satisfied,  have  been 
savingly  brought  home  to  Christ,  since  they  came  to  me,  and  I 
have  much  hope/ of  another.  One  of  these,  who  came  last^ 
while  he  was  a  savas^e,  and  I  could  talk  with  him  only  bv  an 
interpreter,  appeared  to  be  under  great  awakenings,  and  was 
comforted  the  winter  before  last,  and  has  bejiaved  in  a  christiaa 


APPENDIX.  949 

manner  ever  since  ;  yet  not  enough  acquainted  with  our  lan- 
guage, till  of  late,  to  communicate  much  that  he  felt  or  knew. 
About  three  weeks  ago,  he  appeared  to  have  a  great  revival  of  re- 
ligious afiections — expressed  a  longing  desire  to  be  with  Christ — 
seemed  full  of  love  to  the  people  of  God,  and  compassion  and 
pity  towards  his  own  nation.  He  continued  in  a  humble,  calm, 
peaceful  frame  till  last  Saturday  ;  he  went  with  his  schoolmates 
to  walk  and  divert  themselves  in  a  river,  about  two  miles  and 
a  half  off;  immediately  on  coming  out  of  the  water,  he  was  seiz- 
ed with  a  violent  pain  in  his  breast  and  side,  to  that  degree  that 
he  could  not  stand,  and  seemed  just  expiring :  they  brought 
him  home  in  this  distress,  which  continued  about  five  hours  ;  all 
which  time  he  appeared  with  a  smile  on  his  countenance,  occa- 
sioned by  the  sense  he  had  of  the  reality  and  glory  of  things 
spiritual.  His  soul  seemed  reaching  and  stretching  to  depart 
and  be  with  Christ;  and  he  himself  and  all  about  him  were 
apprehensive  that  God  was  about  to  grant  him  his  desire.  He 
could  speak  but  little  ;  but  what  he  did  say  was  expressive  of 
greater  joy  than  ever  he  had  in  his  life — but  God  mercifully 
removed  his  disorder,  and  a  sweet  serene  calmness  yet  remains 
in  his  mind. 

This  is  the  more  remarkable,  as  he  appeared,  when  he  first 
came,  and  for  several  months  after,  the  most  unlikely  to  be  fitted 
for  usefulness,  that  I  have  ever  taken  in  hand  ;  insomuch  that 
I  had,  for  some  time,  determined  to  embrace  the  first  opportu- 
nity to  send  him  back  to  his  own  nation.  He  thirsts  after 
knowledge,  and  is  very  diligent  in  improving  his  time  and  all 
advantage  to  obtain  it — and  who  knows  what  God  designs  for 
him  and  by  him  ? 

We  should  be  glad  to  see  a  charter  granted  to  the  Honorable 

n 


£50 


APPENDIX. 


Society  in  Scotland,  or  any  formulas  which  you  may  think  us& 
ml  for  us. 

I  am,  Rev.  and  Honored  Sir, 

Your  unworthy  brother, 
and  much  obliged 

and  very  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  Rev.  Dr.  Andreiv   Gifford,  London. 

Lebanon,  Connecticut,  July  16,  1764. 
^ev.  and  Hon.  Sir, 

Yours  of  March  10,  I  received,  and  since  that  the  dupli- 
cate, with  the  chest  of  books  and  the  globes  all  safe, 
and  my  heart  is  full  of  gratitude  for  the  favour  of  your 
animating  letters,  and  for  your,  and  your  friend's  kind- 
ness to  my  school,  the  Lord  reward  you  and  them  with  the 
richer  blessings  of  his  covenant.  Please  to  present  my  com. 
pliments  in  the  most  kind  and  grateful  manner  to  all  those,  who 
assisted  you  in  it.  I  would  write  those  whom  you  name  in  par- 
ticular; but  they  must  accept  for  excuse,  my  want  of  time  for 
it.  And  I  think  they  would  readily  do  it,  if  they  knew  how 
much  crowded  1  am.  In  particular  give  my  warmest  love  to 
those  pious  souls  whom  you  do  not  name,  and  who,  you  say,  had 
little  else  but  their  old  books  to  contribute.  They  have  indeed 
fully  shewn  their  good  will  to  the  Redeemer's  cause,  and  their 
desire  to  edify  and  comfort  others,  by  the  same  means  by  which 
they  themselves  have  been  comforted  of  God,  and  which  they 
justly  esteemed  a  rich  treasure.  They  have  shewn  what  they 
would  do  for  Christ,  if  it  were  in  their  power.  Tell  tliem  they 
have  melted  my  heart.  1  love  them  in  the  bottom  of  my  soul. 
I  expect  to  know  them  all  by  and  by,  and  if  by  no  other 
means,  I  shall  know  them  by  their  account,  when  the  faithful 


APPENDIX.  251 

register  of  it  shall  exhibit  it  to  public  view,  and  they  are  filled 
with  surprise  that  he  has  estimated  what  their  love  to  him  ac- 
counted so  small,  by  the  same  rule  as  he  did  the  small  pittance, 
which  the  poor  widow  cast  into  the  treasury,  and  by  which  also 
he  lets  us  know  that  a  cup  of  cold  water  given  in  the  name  of 
a  disciple  shall  be  estimated — then,  I  doubt  not,  I  shall  hear 
the  account  of  their  books,  each  one  his  volume  sent  across  the 
Atlantic,  and  then  see  the  eternal  rewards  which  the  grace  of 
God  will  confer  upon  such. 

As  for  the  <£lGO  of  which  you  write,  my  heart  blesses  the 
pious  donor,  and  if  he  chooses  to  confine  it  to  one  of  the  pur- 
poses which  you  mention,  and  not  to  improve  it  for  the  sup- 
port of  those  missionaries,  I  believe  it  had  better  rest  a  little 
while  where  it  is,  till  it  be  determined  where  the  school  will 
be  fixed.  Perhaps  the  success  of  Gen.  Lyman's  suit  will  de- 
termine that ;  though  there  are  some  objections  against  carry- 
ing the  School  among  the  Indians. 

A  neighbouring  parish  have  bidden  cf500,  our  currency, 
equal  to  £315  sterling,  to  have  it  fixed  there  ;  and  whenever 
the  place  shall  be  determined,  that  c£lOO  before  mentioned, 
will  be  very  necessary  to  accommodate  the  same  with  lands. 

If  these  youth  should  proceed  next  spring,  according  to  our 
hopes,  they  will  need,  preparatory  to  their  business,  a  number 
of  spelling-books,  copies,  catechisms,  testaments,  some  bibles, 
paper,  penknives,  small  jack-knives,  and  other  trifles  to  alkire 
the  children,  and  if  any  see  fit  to  send  a  few  blankets  and  any 
other  clothing  for  these  missionaries,  it  will  save  expense  here, 
and  be  as  acceptable  as  any  thing.  I  suppose  it  will  be  best 
for  them  to  be  able  to  appear  both  in  the  habit  of  Indians  and 
English,  as  occasion  shall  be.  To  be  sure  it  will  be  safest  for  them, 
if  they  should  travel  through  tribes  who  are  not  friendly  to 
the  English,  to  go  in  an  Indian  habit 


252  appendix: 

Dear  Sir,  make  just  what  improvement  you  think  fit  of  what 
I  write.  I  can  only  hint.  Poor  Joseph  Woolly  has  enlisted 
himself  into  the  war  againt  his  own  nation.  I  hope  he  is  coming 
to  himself ;  his  commander,  I  hear,  speaks  very  well  of  him. 
Please  to  remember,  in  your  near  approaches  to  God, 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

Your  unworthy  brother, 

and  fellow  labourer 

in  the  Lord's  house, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 

Rev,  Andrew  Giffbrd,  D.  D. 


To  the  Hon.   General  Lyman. 

Lebanon,  July  18,   1764. 
SIR, 

Yours  of  April  2d,  after  so  long  silence,  was  very  welcome 
indeed.  I  rejoice  to  hear  of  any  favourable  prospects.  My 
hope  is  in  God,  and  I  love  to  rest  the  affair  wholly  with  him. 
If  it  is  not  his  cause,  and  his  glory  may  not  be  advanced  by  it, 
I  do  not  desire  the  success  of  the  suit. 

General  J informs  me  that  all  the  six  nations,  except 

the   Senecas,   are  united  and  engaged  in  the  war  ;  and  I  hear 
the  Senecas  are  since  joined  with  them  against  our  enemies. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  inform  you,  that  religion  has  a  more 
agreeable  aspect,  than  it  had  some  time  ago  in  many  places  in 
this  land. 

I  have  heard  nothing  from  your  family  of  late.  The  Lord 
be  with  and  succeed  you  in  your  affairs. 

Please  to  accept  most  respectful  salutations,  from 
Your  Honoris  most  obedient 

humble  servant, 
ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 
Hon,  P.  Lymaxi, 


,         APPENDIX.  253 

To  Mr.  Dennis  De  Berdt. 

Lebanon,  July  18,  176k 
iMy  Dear  and  Honored  Sir, 

I  doubt  not  your  faith  is  yet  strong,  and  your  heart  engaged 
in  the  great  design  of  spreading  the  gospel  among  our  Ameri- 
can Pagans.  The  commissioners  tiave  lately  met  and  formed, 
and  voted  to  take  Mr.  Occum  into  their  service,  provided  he 
may  be  discharged  from  a  pre-engagemcnt  to  the  London  com- 
missioners in  Boston  ;  which  we  suppose  may  likely  be  without 

difficulty.     They  have  also  left  the  mission  of  friend  A 

to  a  committee,  when  a  door  shall  be  opened.  They  also  pro- 
pose sending  the  two  senior  Indians  in  the  school,  to  remote 
tribes  next  spring,  in  the  capacity  of  school  masters.  We  ex- 
pect Mr  C J S "  will  return  on  a  mission  to  the 

six  nations,  as  soon  as  it  shall  be  thought  safe  for  him.  We 
hope  we  have  symptoms  that  the  war  with  the  Indians  is  near 
at  an  end.  W^hen  tliat  shall  be,  we  apprehend  will  be  the 
time,  if  ever,  to  exert  ourselves  in  earnest  in  the  affair,  before 
our  mischievous  traders  throng  the  country. 

I  do  not  know  of  one  missionary  or  school  master  appointed, 
or  prepared  to  be  sent,  but  from  us,  on  this  continent.  W^e 
have  not  a  shilling  to  support  it  in  stock  :  our  trust  and  hope 
is  only  in  God,  whose  cause  it  is,  and  in  whose  hands  are  the 
hearts  of  all,  that  he  will  provide  supplies. 

I  doubt  not  of  your  sincerity  and  zeal  in  the  cause.  Dear 
Mr.  W^hitefield  (who  is  now  at  New  York)  is  well  engaged  ; 
but  the  truth  is,  there  is  but  little  to  be  expected  in  this  land, 
en  account  of  the  general  scarcity  of  money. 

I  have  now  eight  or  ten,  in  this  School,  well  accomplished 
for  school  masters,  except  that  some  of  them  are  vet  too  young  ; 
besides  several  English  youth,  who  I  expect,  will  be  soon  fit  for 
tlie  business. 


254  APPENDIX. 

There  is  a  great  revival  of  religion  on  Long  Island,  and  in 
several  places  in  New  England. 

You  see  I  write  in  haste,  and  will  excuse  every  thing  amiss, 
and  accept  most  affectionate  regards  from. 

My  dear  Sir, 

Yours  in  the  dearest  bonds, 
ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 

P.  S.  I  understand  by  General  Lyman,  that  you  are  en- 
gaged in  the  cause  I  committed  to  you  under  God,  and  am  quite 
glad  to  hear  of  any  encouraging  prospects.  I  trust  you  will 
not  fail  to  advise  me,  from  time  to  time,  as  you  find  occasion. 


From  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon. 

Bristol,  August  9,  1764. 
Rev.  Sir, 

I  received  your  letter  and  expect  soon  to  have  the  narra- 
tive of  the  Indian  School  transmitted  to  me,  that  you  therein 
mentiqn. 

I  have  communicated  your  letter  to  many  of  the  clergy, 
then  met  at  my  house,  and  they  have  agreed  to  unite  with  me, 
in  recommending  your  pious  design  to  our  general,  well  known 
christian  friends.  May  our  gracious  Lord  bless  and  prosper 
all  your  labours,  which  may  turn  to  exalt  him  in  the  hearts 
and  min<ls  of  all  his  poor  creatures,  he  has  so  dearly  bought 
by  his  own  blood,  and  that  he  may  become  eternally  precious 
to  those  poor,  dear  Indian  children's  hearts,  and  to  all  that  call 
njion  him.  I  do  earnestly  pray,  as  I  am  persuaded,  that  the 
jfjy  of  the  Lord  is  your  strength,  so  will  it  make  all  your  la- 
bours sweet,  and  it  will  greatly  rejoice  my  poor  unworthy 
heart,  to  hear  that  the  praise  and  glory  of  Jesus  Christ  is  spread 


APPENDIX.  Q55 

ill  any  part  of  the  earth.     May  all  his  best  blessings  ever  at- 
tend you,  is  the  most  sincere  wish  of,   Reverend  Sir, 

Your  faithful  friend, 

and  obedient  servant, 

S H . 

P.  S.    I   rejoice  that  Mr.  W is  able  to  preach   among 

you,  and  I  hope  his  last  works  will  be  greater  than  his  first. 


Fro?n  3Ir.  William  Livingston. 

New  York,  August  29,  1764. 
Dear  Sir,  • 

I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  your  plan  in  print ;  and 
equally  admire  the  benevolence  of  your  design,  and  your  zeal 
and  economy  in  carrying  it  into  execution. 

I  should  imagine,  that  were  the  affair  truly  represented  to 
the  society  for  propagating  the  gospel  in  foreign  parts,  they 
could  not  refuse  their  charitable  assistance.  It  is  certainly 
more  agreeable  to  the  primitive  design  of  that  venerable  body, 
as  well  as  to  that  of  their  pious  and  charitable  donors  of  all 
denominations,  than  to  have  their  contributions  dissipated  in 
salaries  to  missionaries  sent  to  a  people  already  sitting  under 
a  stated  ministry ;  which  rather  tends  to  promote  divisions  and 
a  sectarian  spirit,  than  the  gospel  of  peacQ  and  benevolence. 
And  yet  what  immense  sums  are  squandered  in  introducing  the 
preaching  of  the  gospel  where  it  has  been  preached  a  hundred 
years,  in  teaching  the  taught,  and  in  christianizing  christians  \ 
Surely  their  charitable  aid,  in  preparing  the  way  for  the  king- 
dom of  Christ  among  the  heathen,  would  be  an  unspeakable 
more  rational  application  c^f  their  fund.  And  I  am  persuaded 
the  very  application,  which  numbers  of  those,  'ivho  contribute 
to  that  fund,  really  imagine  is  made.       I  am 

Your  most  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON. 


9>56                                           APPENDIX. 
To  Mr.  F 


Lebanon,  Sept.  30,  1701- 
Dear  Sir, 

The  repeated  demonstrations  you  have  given  me  of  the  truly 
charitable  spirit  in  the  society,  for  propagating  christian  know- 
ledge among  the  poor,  and  the  invitation  you  have  given  me 
to  acquaint  them  with  the  necessities  of  this  Indian  School,  em- 
bolden me  with  the  warmest  thanks  for  their  past  liberalities, 
to  inform  you  that  there  is  a  prospect  that  a  door  will  be  open- 
ed next  spring,  for  a  number  of  missionaries  and  school  masters, 
into  the  bowels  of  the  Indian  country,  if  means  for  their  sup- 
port may  be  had,  which  I  doubt  not  of ;  and  if  God  should 
mercifully  so  order  it,  they  will  stand  in  need  of  spelling  books, 
catechisms,  testaments,  bibles,  prayers  for  children,  &c.  &c. 
enough  to  supply  several  schools  of  Indians. 

1  hope  you  have  received  what  I  have  heretofore,  at  several 
times  written  in  haste,  as  I  now  do. 

Please  to  remember  me  respectfully  to  the  members  of  your 
society — my  soul  blesses  them — the  Lord  reward  their  labour 
and  zeal  to  make  manifest  the  savour  of  his  knowledge  in  ev 
ery  place. 

I  am,  dear  Sir, 

with  sincerest  respect. 
Yours  most  heartily, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK, 

Mr.  F . 


To  Mr.  Dennis  Be  Berdt. 

Lebanon,  September  30th,  ITU-I-. 
My  Dear  and  Honored  Friend, 

Neither  Mr.  S ,  nor  Mr.  W ,  encourage  me 

in  the  least  to  hope  for  any  success  in  my  suit ;    yet  as  the 


APPENDIX.  ^5Y 

hearts  of  all  are  in  the  hands  of  God,  and  he  accomplishes  his 
designs  in  ways  most  conducive  to  his  own  glory.  I  cannot  but 
entertain  some  hopes,  till  I  hear  that  from  you  or  Gen.  Ly  ,in, 
which  shall  discourage  them.  And  I  should  be  glad  to  hear 
as  soon  as  may  be,  whether  or  no  there  is  any  prospect  worth 
waiting  for.  I  do  not  at  all  doubt  of  your  care  and  zeal  in  the 
aftair.  The  Lord  reward  a  thousand  fold  all  your  labors  of 
love,  Si,c. 

I  am,  with  sincerest  duty  and  esteem. 
Yours,  in  our  common  Lord, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 
P.  S.     Not  long  since  I  wrote  Dr.    Giflbrd  a  letter  of  thanks 
for  the  excellent  collection  of  books  he  sent  this  school. 


Fro?}i  the  Rev.  John  Erskine. 

Edinburgh,  October  20th,  1764-, 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  letter  to  me  of  the  10th  July  and  the  packet  for  the 
society,  containing  the  sequel  of  your  narrative  and  the  ser- 
mons at  Mr.  Jeffrey  Smithes  ordination,  &c.  came  to  my  hand 
about  six  weeks  ago.  My  father's  sudden  and  dangerous  ill- 
ness, from  which  he  is  now  mercifully  recovered,  obliged  me 
about  that  time  to  go  into  the  countrj^,  which  prevented  my 
endeavoring  to  get  some  of  those  papers  printed,  in  order  to 
encourage  the  friends  of  Zion  to  lend  a  helping  hand  to  this 
good  work.  When  a  ship  casts  up  for  Boston,  I  shall  endeavor 
to  procure  you  the  pam.phlets  you  mention. 

On  the  receipt  of  this,  you  will  draw  on  Mr.  W D 

in  Edinburgh,  for  a  donation  of  oc20  sterling  from  himself, 
and  a  legacy  of  £5  sterling  from  Mr.  W S ,  in  Edin- 
burgh, for  your  Indian  School ;   in  all  <£'25  sterling. 

The  hurry  I  am  in  obliges  me  to  conclude  with  subscribing 
myself,  dear  Sir, 

Your  afTectionate  brother, 

JOHN  ERSKINE. 
33 


£58  APPENDIX. 

1 

To  the  Hon,  Sir  William  Johnson. 

Lebanon,  March  '2'3y  1165, 
SIR, 

Your  Excellency's  favor  of  February  ID,    by  P and 

jt) ,_,  came  safe  to  hand.      I  thank  your  Excellency  most 

heartily  for  all  your  condescension,  and  repeated  favors  shewn 
me,  and  particularly  your  care  for,  and  kindness  to  my  dear 
3Ir.  Kirkland.  I  pray  you  to  continue  your  paternal  kindness 
towards  him ;  and  whatever  supplies  he  shall  stand  in  need  of, 
please  to  provide  him  with  the  same,  and  charge  them  to  my 
account.  I  have  enclosed  to  him  an  address  to  the  chiefs  of 
the  nations,  to  be  convened  by  your  orders  this  month,  and 
have  desired  him  to  submit  the  same  to  your  Excellency's  cen- 
sures, which  I  hope  you  will  not  at  all  spare,  out  of  favor  to  me. 

I  am  well  pleased  with  P and  D ,  they  both  seem 

honestly  desirous  to  be  instructed. 

We  expect  to  have  opportunity  to  recommend  to  your  Ex- 
cellency's favorable  notice,  two  likely  young  gentlemen,  in 
the  capacity  of  missionaries,  this  spring,  and  three  young  In- 
dians of  this  school,  in  the  capacity  of  school  masters.  I  pur- 
pose also,  that  all  your  five  first  boys  shall  come  home  this 
spring,  or  by  some  time  in  June,  to  visit  their  friends,  and  re- 
turn to  me  in  the  fall.       It  is  proposed  that  they  shall  keep 

schools,  under  the  conduct  of  the  missionaries.      W will 

likely  make  a  fine  boy  :  he  behaves  very  well.  A  specimen 
of  his  writing  I  enclose. 

Please  to  let  the  parents  of  these  boys  know  that  they  are 
all  well,   and  also  inform  them  of  their  proposed  visit  to  them. 

I  hope  your  Excellency  will  be  able  to  obtain  the  grandson 

of  the  Onondaga  Sachem,   which  you   mentioned  to  me,  and 

send  him  with  Mr.  Kirkland,  whom  I  have  advised  to  visit  us 

this  spring. 

I  am,  with  great  respect,  Sir, 

Your  much  obliged,  and 

Most  obedient  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WIIEELOCK 


A?PENDrx.  259 

To  the  Sachems  and  Chiefs  of  the  Mohaivk,   Oneida,  Tuscarora, 
and  other  nations  and  tribes  of  Indians. 

My  Brethren  and  Friends, 

I  have  liad  you  upon  my  heart  ever  since  I  was  a  boy.  I 
have  pitied  you  on  account  of  your  worldly  poverty  ;  but 
much  more  on  account  of  the  perishing  case  your  precious  souls 
are  in,  without  the  knowledge  of  the  only  true  God  and  Sa- 
viour of  sinners.  I  have  prayed  for  you  daily  for  more  tha-Q 
thirty  years,  that  a  way  might  be  opened  to  send  the  gospel  a- 
mong  you,  and  you  be  made  willing  to  receive  it.  And  I 
hope  God  is  now  answering  the  prayers  that  have  long  been 
made  for  you,  and  that  the  time  of  his  mercy  to  your  perishing 
nation  is  near  at  hand. 

Some  years  ago,  I  educated  3Ir.  Occum  (who  has  been  a  lit- 
tle while  with  some  of  you)  with  hopes  that  God  would  make 
him  an  instrument  of  great  good  to  my  poor  brethren,  the  In- 
dians. He  labored  a  number  of  years  with  the  Indians  at 
Montauk,  and  was  a  mean  of  much  good  to  that  tribe,  and  al- 
so an  instrument  of  good  to  some  in  New  England,  and  I  hope, 
did  a  little  good  to  you  in  the  short  time  he  was  with  you. 

After  I  had  educated  Mr.  Occum,  and  saw  no  other  way  to 
help  the  perishing  Indians,  there  being  no  door  open  to  send 
missionaries  among  them,  I  determined  on  setting  up  an  Indian 
school,  to  teach  their  children,  that  when  they  had  got  their 
learning,  they  might  return  home,  and  in  their  own  language 
teach  their  brothers,  sisters,  and  friends,  the  way  of  salva- 
tion by  Jesus  Christ. 

And  accordingly  I  began  this  School  more  than  ten  years 
ago.  I  first  took  two  bc)ys  of  the  Delawares,  but  one  of  them 
died  when  he  was  almost' fit  for  college,  the  other  went  to  col- 
lege, and  when  he  was  almost  through,  was  overcome  by  strong 
drink,  and  by  this  he  grieved  my  very  heart.  I  hoped  he 
would  have  been  good,  and  I  hope  yet  that  God  will  have  mer- 
ry on  him  and  make  him  good  before  he  dies. 


260  APPENDIX. 

I  am  now  sending  you  eight  of  your  sons,  whom  I  have 
learned  to  read  and  write  well.  The  ministers  who  have  join- 
ed with  me  to  help  forward  the  great  design  of  christianizing 
the  Indians,  have  examined  them,  and  recommend  two  of  them 
with  Joseph  Woolly,  to  be  school  masters,  where  they  can  find  the 
Indidiis  willing  to  have  their  children  taught:  the  other  six, 
though  they  can  read  and  write  well  enough  to  teach  a  school, 
yet  we  think  they  are  too  young  to  be  masters.  V/e  are  afraid 
your  children  will  not  mind  them ;  and  therefore  have  ordered 
them  to  teach  your  children,  under  the  direction  of  the  mission- 
aries, till  next  fall ;  and  then  they  are  to  return  to  this  school 
to  get  more  learning  ;  and  I  hope  some  of  them  will  be  fit  in 
tim'?  to  preach  Christ  to  you,  if  God  shall  please  to  give  them 
good  hearts. 

Now  I  assure  you,  my  brethren,  in  what  I  have  done  and 
am  doing,  I  have  no  interest  of  my  own  in  view  ;  but  I  have 
compassion  upon  your  precious  souls,  for  whom  Christ  died, 
and  w"hich  must  be  lost  and  miserable  forever  unless  you  be 
made  to  know  him,  and  the  way  of  life  by  him,  and  so  to  par- 
take of  the  great  salvation,  which  he  has  purchased  for  us. 

Two  ministers  are  coming  to  you  from  my  school,  who  are 
sent  to  you  by  the  commissioners,  and  they  are  men  of  learn- 
ing, have  had  a  liberal  education,  and  are  able  to  teach  you 
the  way  of  salvation  by  Christ.  And  they  love  you  much; 
they  do  not  come  to  get  money,  nor  to  get  away  your  lands, 
nor  to  cheat  or  wrong  you  in  any  thing,  but  only  to  do  you 
good.  And  you  may  depend  upon  it,  I  will  never  willingly 
send  one  to  preach  the  gospel  to  you,  who  has  any  higher  view 
than  to  save  your  souls.  That  is  the  errand  these  men  come 
upon,  and  as  such  you  must  receive  them,  and  treat  them 
kindly. 

David  Fowler,  who  has  been  educated  at  my  school,  and  is 
one  of  ihe  school  masters  before  mentioned,  I  now  send  to  keep 
school  among  you,  to  teach  your  children,  if  you  will  receive 


APPENDIX. 


261 


him.  He  is  a  rational,  sprightly,  active  young  man  ;  and  I 
believe  you  will  find  him  to  be  very  honest  and  faithful.  lie 
comes  only  to  do  3'ou  good.  His  friends  at  Montauk  have  sent 
to  me,  earnestly  desiring  that  he  might  come  there  and  teach 
their  children ;  but  I  have  often  heard  that  you  desired  great- 
ly to  be  taught,  and  I  hope  he  will  do  more  good  among  you  : 
and  therefore  I  send  him  to  you,  and  1  hope  you  will  be  kind 
to  him  as  one  of  your  own  people,  and  help  him  to  live  among 
you.  I  hope  you  will  help  him  to  get  a  house,  and  let  him 
have  some  of  your  land  to  plant  and  sow^;  and  he  will,  besides 
teaching  your  children,  help  and  instruct  you  in  managing  hus- 
bandry ;  which  you  must  learn,  if  you  expect  God  will  in- 
crease your  number,  and  build  you  up,  and  make  you  his 
people. 

I  hear  that  some  of  the  Indians  think  it  to  be  a  mean  thing, 
and  below  men  to  work  in  the  field,  that  it  belongs  only  to  wo- 
men.    This  thought  is  not  right  nor  pleasing  to  God. 

The  first  work  he  sat  man  about,  and  that  before  ever  he  had 
sinned,  when  he  was  more  honorable  than  any  mere  man  has 
ever  been  since,  was  to  till  the  ground  to  get  his  living  by  it. 
And  after  man  had  sinned,  God  told  him  he  should  get  his  liv- 
ing by  the  sweat  of  his  face,  and  he  has  commanded  us  in  the 
fourth  commandment  to  work  six  days  in  the  week.  And  of- 
ten in  his  word  testified  his  displeasure  against  those,  who  will 
not  work  for  a  living.  This  earth  is  all  God's  land,  and  he  will 
have  it  all  cultivated.  So  long  as  there  are  not  people  enough 
to  inhabit  the  earth,  God  lets  the  wild  beasts  have  it  for  their 
dwelling  place  ;  and  a  few  lazy  savage  people  he  suffers  to  live 
a  hungry  miserable  life  by  hunting.  But  when  the  children 
of  men  grow  numerous,  and  want  the  earth  to  cultivate  for 
a  living,  the  wild  beasts  must  give  place  to  them,  and  men 
must  improve  the  land  for  God  ;  it  they  do  not  they  are  bad 
tenants,  and  must  be  turned  ofl['as  such.  If  you  will  not  cul- 
tivate God's  land,  you  cannot  expect  that  God  will  greatly 


tl6^2 


APPENDIX. 


multiply  you.  1  speak  this  only  for  your  good  ;  I  propose  no 
advantage  to  myself  nor  to  any  other,  but  you  and  your  pos- 
terity by  it. 

When  you  improve  your  land,  and  provide  a  living  for  your- 
selves and  families  in  that  way,  you  will  live  much  easier  and 
better  than  you  now  do  or  can  do  by  hunting.  And  when 
your  game  is  gone,  you  will  not  have  occasion  to  remove  to 
another  place,  or  to  go  a  great  way  to  catch  wild  creatures  to 
live  upon,  as  Indians  have  been  forced  to  do  ;  but  you  will  live 
as  well  without  them  as  with  them,  by  the  produce  of  your 
own  farms.  And  then  you  will  be  under  circumstances  to 
have  ministers  and  school  masters  settled  among  you  ;  and  will 
be  able  to  support  them  according  to  the  laws  of  Christ,  to 
teach  you  and  your  children  the  great  things  that  cencern  your 
]:>eace  with  God,  and  the  eternal  salvation  of  your  precious 
souls ;  and  so  you  may  soon  become  a  learned  and  knowing 
people.  And  then  you  will  be  in  no  danger  of  being  imposed 
upon  and  cheated,  as  you  have  been  by  bad  men,  who  care 
not  what  becomes  of  Indians,  if  they  can  only  get  your  lands, 
and  cheat  and  wrong  you  in  other  things.  I  pity  you  great- 
ly on  these  accounts ;  and  I  wish  you  would  mind  what  t  say 
to  vou.  I  greatly  desire  you  may  become  a  great,  and  good, 
and  very  bappy  people. 

David  Fowler  can  tell  you  how  God  has  dealt  with  Indians 
hi  New  England,  and  how  they  now  begin  to  see  their  error^, 
and  amend  their  doings. 

I  thank  you  for  the  kindness,  which  some  of  you  have  shown 
to  my  dear  Mr  Kirkland,  whom  I  sent  into  your  country  last 
fall.  His  heart  is  bent  to  do  good  to  the  Indians.  He  denies 
himself  all  the  pleasure  and  honors  which  he  might  have  here 
among  his  friends,  only  to  do  you  good.  I  hope  you  will  con- 
tinue your  kindness  to  him,  and  treat  him  as  my  child.  I  hope 
<iod  will  nir.ke  him  an  instrument  of  great  good  to  the  Indians. 


APPENDIX.  263 

I  wish  you  all  happiness  in  this  world  and  the  world  to  come. 
I  design  by  God's  help  to  do  all  the  good  I  can  to  the  poor 
miserable  Indians  as  long  as  I  live  ;  and  when  you  can  pray 
to  God  for  yourselves,  then  pray  also  for  me.  I  hope  I  shall 
live  in  heaven  with  many  of  you,  and  that  we  shall  rejoice  to- 
gether in  beholding  our  glorified  Redeemer  foreverniore.   Amen. 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 
Lebanon,  April  29,  1795. 


From  Mr.  Dennis  De  Berdt. 

London,  June  20,   1765.        • 
jRev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

Though  I  have  not  written  to  you  a  long  time,  I  often  both 
think  and  speak  of  you  with  affection  and  esteem,  as  tlie  apos- 
tle of  the  Indians,  and  I  trust  God  will  prosper  and  reward 
your  labors  of  love  to  those  poor  heathens. 

General  Lyman  is  aiming  at  a  grant  to  settle  a  large  tract 
of  land  in  the  heart  of  the  Indian  country,  and  intends  to  in- 
clude a  charter  for  you  if  he  can  obtain  it  in  his  gram;  but 
the  unsettled  state  of  the  king's  ministry  has  been  a  great  diifi-. 
culty  in  his  mind.  And  now  he  is  at  a  stand  in  expectation 
of  a  thorough  change,  and  we  hope  for  the  advantage  of  Amer- 
ica, which  has  lately  been  very  hardly  borne  upon,  and  not  by 
them  treated  with  the  tenderness  of  an  affectionate  mother  coun- 
try, greatly  to  the  embarrassment  of  trade,  and  hardships  on 
the  merchant. 

3fr.  IVhiteJidd  has  paid  me  o£'lOO  for  your  use,  which  I  have 

placed  to  Mr.  S -'s  credir,  according  to  his  letter,  which  he 

will  pay  you. 

Rev.  Sir, 

Yours,  in  christian  friendship, 

DENNIS  De  BERDT. 


264 


APPENDIX. 


To  the  Right  Hon.  the  Countess  of  Huntingdon. 

Lebanon,  Connecticut,  May  16,  1765. 
Mat!  am, 

Yours  of  August  9,  1764,  came  safe  to  hand  March  19th  ; 
and  it  animates  and  refreshes  me  much  to  find  such  fervent 
love  to  Christ,  and  earnest  care  for  the  perishing  souls  of  poor 
savages,  breathed  forth  by  a  lady  of  such  distinction;  and  that 
you  should  from  the  same  divine  source,  be  moved  to  such  an 
act  of  condescension  as  to  encourage  and  comfort  the  heart  of 
one,  whom  your  charity  fondly  believes  to  be  honestly  engag- 
ed to  promote  the  great  Redeemer's  cause,  and  to  which  you 
could  be  moved  by  no  other  motive. 

My  Indian  school  yet  lives  and  flourishes,  only  by  the  good- 
ness of  God.  My  number  of  late  has  generally  been  twenty 
six.  Two  young  English  gentlemen  belonging  to  it,  were  or- 
dained to  the  sacred  work  the  24th  ult.  with  a  view,  as  soon  as 
provisions  shall  be  made  for  their  support,  to  a  mission  among 
the  six  nations.  Three  Indian  young  men  are  appointed  to  be 
school  masters  among  those  tribes;  and  six  more,  who  by  rea- 
son of  their  want  of  age,  are  appointed  to  teach  school  as  mas- 
ters, under  ths  direction  and  conduct  of  the  missionaries,  and 
to  return  to  this  school  in  the  fall.  And  one,  a  young  English 
gentleman,  viz.  Samuel  Kirkland,  I  sent  last  fall  to  winter  with 
the  numerous  and  savage  tribe  of  the  Senecas,  in  order  to  learn 
their  language,  and  fit  for  a  mission  among  them ;  where  no 
missionary  has  hitherto  dared  to  venture.  This  bold  adven- 
ture of  his,  which  considered  in  all  the  circumstances  of  it,  is 
the  most  extraordinary  of  the  kind  I  have  ever  known,  has 
been  attended  with  abundant  evidence  of  a  divine  blessing. 

The  aforesaid  youth  were  all  appointed  to  their  respective 
services,  not  knowing  that  we  had  a  penny  in  stock  to  support 
them  ;  till  a  few  days  ago,  we  were  informed  by  Mr.  Whitejield's 
letter  to  3Tr.  Smith  oi  Boston,  of  one  hundred  pounds  by  a  lady 
unknown,  devoted   to  the  service  of  this  Indian  design.      My 


APPENDIX. 


m 


s&ul  blesses  the  benefactress,  and  the  blessing  of  many  ready 
to  perish,  I  trust,  will  come  upon  her,  and  the  everlasting  mer- 
cy of  God  find  her  out,  and  in  the  end  reward  her  openly.  And 
then  we,  who  can  only  conjecture  by  whom  the  favor  is  con- 
ferred, shall,  by  the  account  itself,  and  by  the  crown  of  glory 
given  as  the  reward  of  it,  be  fullj^  assured  of  the  hand  by 
whom  it  was  done,  when  there  will  be  neither  a  possibility  nor 
occasion  to  conceal  her  liberality  any  more. 

The  openings  in  Providence  appear  more  and  more  favora- 
ble to  this  design.  It  seems  that  now,  if  ever,  is  the  time  to 
bestir  ourselves  to  do  something  eftectuul  in  the  affair. 

I  expect  eight  or  ten  boys  very  soon  from  remote  tribes,  and 
some  of  them,  sons  of  their  chiefs,  procured  by  3Ir.  Kirk/and 
and  Sir  William  Johnson. 

I  thank  you,  madam,  most  heartily  for  the  expressions  of 
yoir  friendship,  and  for  all  your  care  and  kindness  in  this  af- 
fair, and  hope  by  your  influence,  numbers  may  be  moved  to 
put  a  helping  hand,  ^nd  I  feel  the  obligations  upon  me  towards 
you,  to  be  much  greater  than  I  seem  to  express,  though  in  the 
most  humble  manner. 

I  take  the  boldness,  with  much  duty  and  esteem,  to  subscribe 
myself.    Madam, 

Your  Ladyship's  much  obliged,  and 

most  obedient  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


From  the  Hon.  Sir  William  Johnson. 

Johnson-hall,  May  18,  1765. 
SIR, 

I  have  received  your  letter  of  the  29th  ult.  and  I  herewith 
enclose  you  a  letter  left  by  Mr.  Kirkland,  who  is  gone  to  the 
Seneca's  country.  The  Indians,  to  the  amount  of  nine  hun- 
dred, who  have  been  here  for  some  time,  and  are  not  yet  all  de- 

3-1 


2()6'  APPENDIX. 

parted,  prevent  me  from  writing  fully  upon  any  subject  at  thr» 
time. 

David  Foivkr  is  set  out  for  Oneida,  and  I  hope  he  will  be 
found  useful.  I  have  recommended  him  to  the  Indians,  and 
will  not  fail  to  give  all  the  countenance  and  encouragement 
in  my  power  to  3Ir.  Kirkland  and  his  endeavors,  as  well  as 
any  others  calculated  foi'  the  instruction  of  tlje  Indians. 

I  have  seen  something  of  the  resolves  you  mention :  they 
are  well  intended,  and  I  dare  say,  will  meet  with  encourage- 
ment in  England. 

Mr.  Kirkland  takes  pains  to  ground  himself  in  the  language 
of  the  Senecasj    which  is  the  first  step  necessary.      A  great 
end  to  be  acquired   by  religion  among  the  heathen,  is  the  bet- 
tering their  morals.      This  I  fear  is  very  difficult  to  effect ;  for 
Iiotwilhstanding  the  pains  taken  by  many  zealous  and   well 
disposed  persons,  I  find  the  spirit  of  avarice  gains  more  ground 
than  Christianity  ;   the  latter  is  but  in  outward  show,  and  will 
scarcely  resist  a  bottle  of  rum.      They  increase   likewise  too 
much  in  craft  and  dissimulation,  which  religion  ought  rather 
to  destroy.      Howe?er  all  this  is  but  too  certain  with  regard  to 
the  generality  of  the  Indians,  and  it  is  therefore  a  subject  which 
requires  serious  consideration,   how  religion  shall  be  rendered 
serviceable  to  the  improvement  of  their  minds,  and  to  their  be- 
coming honest  and  industrious,  to  mind  their  hunting  and  trade, 
and  live  in  peace  and  friendship.     I  hope  these  ends  may  one 
day  be  effected,  and  that  your  endeavors  may  be  in  some  m.ea- 
sure  instrumental  thereto,  as  I  am.   Sir, 
Your  sincere  well-wisher, 

and  very  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  JOHNSON. 

P.  S.  Please  to  tell  the  boys  I  am  glad  to  hear  they  are 
well,  and  that  I  wish  they  may  continue  to  def.erve  your  good 
character. 


APPENDIX.  MSf 

From  the  Rev.  George  Whitefield. 

London,  February  2,  1766. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Wheelock, 

This  day  three  weeks  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Mr.  Whit- 
aker  and  Mr,  Occum.  On  their  account,  I  have  deferred  my 
intended  journey  into  the  country  all  next  week.  They  have 
been  introduced  to  and  dined  with  the  Daniel  of  the  age,  viz. 
the  truly  noble  Lord  Dartinouth.  Mr.  Occmn  is  also  to  be  in- 
troduced by  him  to  his  majesty,  who  intends  to  favor  the  de- 
sign with  his  bounty.  A  short  memorial  for  the  public  is  drawn, 
which  is  to  be  followed  with  a  small  pamphlet.  All  denomi- 
nations are  to  be  applied  to,  and  therefore  no  mention  is  made 
of  any  particular  commissioners  or  corresponding  committees 
whatsoever.  It  would  damp  the  thing  entirely.  Cashiers  are 
to  be  named,  and  the  monies  collected  are  to  be  deposited 
with  them,  till  drawn  for  by  yourself.  Mr.  Occum  hath  preach- 
ed for  me  with  acceptance,  and  also  Mr.  Whitaker.  They  are 
to  go  round  the  other  denominations  in  a  proper  rotation.  As 
yet  every  thing  looks  with  a  promising  aspect.  I  have  pro- 
cured them  suitable   lodgings.     I  shall   continue  to  do  every 

thing  that   lies  in  my  power.      Mr.  S is  providentially 

here — a  fast  friend  to  your  plan  and  his  dear  country. 

I  wish  you  joy  of  the  long  wished  for,  long  prayed  for  re- 
peal, and  am,  my  dear  3Ir.  Wheelock, 

Yours,  &c.  in  our  glorious  head, 

GEORGE  WHITEFIELD. 


From  the  Rev.  Charles  J.  Smith, 

Brookhaven,  Long  Island,  March  12,  1766. 
Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 

I  long  to  hear  from  you,  and  am  anxious  to  learn  what  re- 
ception and  success  3Ir.  Whitefield  finds,  and  the  dear  mission- 
aries, and  also  what  is  become  of  the  apostolic  Mr.  Kirklund. 
and  what  prospect  there  is  of  supporting  those  missions,  &c.  &c. 


268  APPENBK. 

Though  the  times  are  hard  and  difficult,  yet  the  earth  is  the 
Lord's  and  the  fuhiess  thereof.  And  as  he  hath  hitherto,  so 
he  hopefully  still  will  own,  and  bless  your  noble  design.  May 
we  not  argue  with  Manoah's  wife  ?  "  If  the  Lord  were  pleased 
to  let  the  school  fall  through,  he  would  have  not,  heretofore, 
so  remarkably  owned  it,  neither  would  he  have  done  such  great 
things  for  it,  as  have  come  to  pass." 

A  letter  of  intelligence  to  the  care  of  3Tr.  D ,  will  be 

safely  forwarded,  and  refreshing  as  the  spices  of  Arabia,,  to 
one  who  has  been  exiled  from  the  beloved  pulpit,  almost  ever 
since  he  left  his  dear  friend  and  father  at  Lebanon. 

The  commission  from  your  Rev.  board  will  be  highly  ac- 
ceptable, whenever  the  gentlemen  appointed  can  convenient- 
ly attend  to  draw  it  up  ;  and  please  to  forward  it  by  3ir. 

J) .     As  you,  sir,  know  its  design,  it  is  needless  to  desire 

it  may  be  as  full  as  the  charter  will  permit.     Is  it  worth  while 

for  me  to  write  to  Mr.  E ,    to  enquire  whether  the  charter 

will  answer  the  end  proposed,  and  shield  one  against  the  at- 
tacks of  the  establishment  in  Virginia  ? 

The  discourse  on  regeneration,  delivered  there,  accompanies 
this,  and  solicits  your  acceptance. 

Pray  write  as  often  as  you  can,  which  will  lay  great  obliga- 
tions upon,  and  much  rejoice. 

Reverend  Sir, 

♦  Yours  affectionately, 

CHARLES  J.  SMITH. 
Rev.  Mr.  Wheelock. 


From  the  Mayor  in  behalf  of  the  Aldermen,  ^c.  of  the 

county  of  Albany. 

May,  1766. 
B-cv.  Sir. 

We  are  favored  with  your  letter  of  the  21st,  and  with  Mr. 
S 's  of  the  10th  of  April  last.  The  design  of  christianiz- 
ing the  Indians,  and  diffusing  the  light  of  the  gospel  to  those 


APPENDIX.  £69 

unhappy  people,  that  have  not  yet  partaken  of  that  divine  bles- 
sing, is  so  tnily  charitable,  and  favorable  to  humanity,  tfiat 
it  deserves  all  the  encouragement  and  attention,  that  it  has 
met  with  from  our  gracious  sovereign,  and  those  worthy  ben- 
efactors, who  s6  generally  followed  the  royal  example. 

We  esteem  ourselves  peculiarly  happy  that  an  opportunity 
is  offered  us,  to  show  how  much  we  are  inclined  to  promote -a 
plan  so  universally  countenanced,  and  so  deservedly  applauded. 
We  have  informed  ourselves  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  to  whom 
you  was  pleased  to  refer  us  for  particulars.  The  affair  is  of  so 
much  importance,  that  it  claims  our  most  serious  and  delibe- 
rate consideration,  and  the  little  time  allowed  from  the  speedy 
return  oi  Mr. does  not  permit  us  to  send  you  our  propo- 
sals by  him  :  we  shall  however  embrace  the  earliest  opportu- 
nity to  convey  them  to  you,  and  we  hope  that  when  you  get 
them,  they  will  be  such  as  will  meet  with  your  approbation, 
and  merit  the  consideration  of  those  worthy  gentlemen  in  Eng- 
land, to  whom  this  affair  is  referred. 

\Ye  beg  leave  to  assure  you,  sir,  of  our  particular  regard  for 
you  ;  we  wish  you  much  of  the  divine  grace,  and  health  to  go 
on  with  this  good  work,  of  which  (greatly  to  your  honor  be  it 
spoken,  and  may  it  long  be  gratefully  remembered)  you  have 
been  the  first  promoter. 

We  are.  Rev.  Sir, 

Your  most  humble  servant,      /-~~' 

V.  DOW,  ^layor,  &c. 


To  the  Rev.  George  Whitejield. 

Lebanon,  July  24,  i7GC.. 
Rev.  and  iloar  Sir, 

I  wrote  you  via  Boston  a  few  days  ago,  and  have  nothing 
now  to  write  but  to  the  same  purpose. 

BIr.  Kirkland  returned  from  his  long  tour  to  the  Senecaj^ 
May  10,  accompanied  by  Tekmonde,  the  chief  warrior  of  tha> 


270  APPENDIX. 

tribe,  and  one  whose  influence  is  great.  He  appears  to  be  of 
pregnant  genius,  an  aflable  temper,  benevolent,  steady,  judi- 
cious, manly,  and  has  always  been  friendly  to  the  English,  A 
protector  and  steady  friend  to  dear  3Ir.  Kirkland,  amidst  per- 
ils and  dangers  too  many  and  great  to  relate  and  describe  in  a 
letter.  They  came  to  Hartford,  while  the  general  assembly 
were  sitting:  the  governor  and  company  showed  him  great 
respect,  and  made  a  handsome  entertainment  for  him.  The 
governor  delivered  him  a  speech,  and  received  his  answer,  {Mr. 
Kirkland  being  their  interpreter)  much  to  the  satisfaction  and 
admiration  of  the  whole  assembly.  After  this  they  made  them 
a  present  of  £20.  The  black  general  was  much  affected  with 
their  kindness  and  respect,  and  marvelled  much  to  find  the 
country  so  peopled.  He  was  lame  with  the  gout  or  rheuma- 
tism, or  he  would  have  gone  to  Boston. 

He  seemed  much  affected  with  my  representation  of  the 
wretched  and  miserable  condition  of  his  nation,  &c.  and  gave 
ni  to  it  (I  believe  heartily)  that  we  were  the  people  whom  God 
loves,  and  that  they  had  been  cast  off  by  him  a  long  time. 
He  said  he  would  go  and  tell  his  nation  what  I  had  said,  and 
w  hat  he  believed ;  but,  said  he,  they  will  all  rise  up  against 
me,  when  I  do  so.  We  clothed  him  in  scarlet,  and  sat  him  on 
a  sprightly  horse  (instead  of  a  very  mean  one,  which  he  brought 
with  him.)  He  was  greatly  pleased  and  affected  with  my 
school,  and  was  often  so  affected  with  the  ignorance  and  bru- 
tality of  his  own  people,  that  he  would  sometimes  talk  with 
Mr.  Kirkland,  and  weep  a  great  part  of  the  night,  and  some- 
times seemed  almost  overwhelmed  with  sorrow.  Now,  said  he, 
I  fmd  all  those  things,  which  Mr.  Kirkland  had  told  me,  and  a 
great  deal  more,  are  true.  He  often  spake  of  the  corruption 
of  manners  among  the  Indians,  since  their  acquaintance  with 
our  traders  and  soldiers.  And  indeed  it  seems  these  have  made 
them  sevenfold  wbrse  than  the  devil  could  make  them. 

Mr.  Kirkland  was  ordained  the  1 9th  ult.  and  a  solemn  assem- 
bly indeed  we  had  on  that  occasion. 


APPENDIX.  271 

David  Fotvler,  after  being  detained  about  three  weeks  by 
sickness,  returned  from  Oneida  the  27th  ult.   in  company  with 

M ,  one  who  kept  a  school  among  the  jMohawks  last  year, 

and  W ,  one  of  his  own  scholars ;    and  would   have  been 

accompanied  also  by  one  of  the  chief  men  of  that  tribe,  had  he 
not  been  detained  to  condole  the  death  of  his  uncle,  the  chief 
warrior  of  that  nation. 

David  also  gave  account  of  several  murders  of  Indians,  com- 
mitted by  the  English,  which  Sir  William  Johnson  feared  would 
baffle  all  his  endeavors  for  peace,  as  he  writes  me  by  David. 
This  rupture  has  dfsconcerted  my  plan  for  this  year,  as  it  shuts 
up  our  way  to  the  Oneidas  and  Senecas. 

I  am  sensible,  my  dear  sir,  of  my  obligations  to  you,  and 
have  been  sometimes  soHcitous  what  return  of  gratitude  to  make 
suitable  thereto,  and  can  find  none  ;  but  this  is  enough  that 
your  work  and  reward  too,  is  with  the  Lord,  ''who  is  not  un- 
righteous to  forget  your  works  and  labors  of  love,  which  you 
have  showed  towards  his  name." 

I  am.  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

Yours,  in  our  glorious  head,  &c. 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  Rev.  N.  Whitaker. 

Lebanon,  July  30,   1766. 
My  very  Dear  Brother, 

I  wrote  you  a  few  days  ago  via  Boston,  and  referred  you  to 
mine  of  the  same  date  to  Mr.  Whitefield,  as  I  must  in  this  also. 

I  never  was  so  continually  full,  and  crowded  with  business, 
for  so  long  time  togetlier,  as  I  iiave  been  of  late.  I  have  made 
it  my  care  that  my  ministry  should  not  be  blamed.  I  depend 
wholly  upon  agriculture  for  my  support;  and  I  have  still  as 
much,  and  intirely  as  ever.  The  care  of  my  school,  and  every 
thing  that  concerns  the  missionaries,  and  the  planning  all  their 
missions,  and  all  provisions  of  every  kind  for  that  purpose. 


272  APPENDS. 

But  God  helps  me.  I  enjoy  peace  and  contentment,  which  is 
a  continual  feast. 

I  am  much  satisfied  with  the  course  Providence  has  taken  in. 
the  disposal  of  missionaries  and  school  masters  this  year.  It 
appears  to  me  that  the  present  rupture  is  permitted  in  great 
wisdom,  and  in  kindness  to  this  design,  and  is  exactly  of  apiece 
with  the  tenor  of  God's  past  ways  toward  this  undertaking.  And 
I  hope,  when  I  can  hear  that  the  schools  are  settled,  1  shall  be 
able  to  inform  you  that  I  have  nearly  two  hundred  of  the  poor 
wretched  children  at  school,  under  the  instruction  of  my  boys 
in  the  wilderness. 

Notwithstanding  the  way  to  the  Oneidas  and  Senecas  is  shut 
up  by  the  present  rupture;  how  wonderful  is  the  progress  of 
this  design  already  !  Eight  years  ago  no  body  thought  of  any 
probability  of  introducing  a  school  master  into  those  parts,  if 
an  attempt  should  be  made,  excepting  at  Onohaguage,  and 
there  to  have  but  ten  or  twelve  children. 

I  trust  you  received  the  power  of  attorney  I  sent  you  fronci 
Boston,  and  will  be  able  to  act  any  thing  you  shall  think  ad- 

viseable  in  this  affair.     I  neglect  writing  to  dear  Mr.  S 

because  I  suppose  he  will  be  on  his  passage  to  me  before  this 
arrives  ;  if  not,  communicate  this  to  him  as  though  it  had  been 
directed  to  him. 

Give  my  love  to  Mr.  O ,  and  accept  as  much  as  ever 

yourself^  from. 

My  Dear  Sir, 

Your  right  straight  hearted  Brother, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


From  Mr,  William  Livingston. 

■     New  York,  Nov.  27,   1766. 
Itev.  Sir, 

I  have  seen  your  letter  to  Mr.  B ,  of  the  9th  inst.  ac- 
companied by  that  of  Mr.  K to  you  of  the  20th  of  Au- 


APPENDS.  273 

gust  last.     The  contents  of  the  latter,  respecting  Mr.  W 's 


success,  cannot  bat  be  extremely  agreeable  to  every  one  that 
wishes  well  to  your  truly  christian  and  benevolent  desi^-n  of 
promoting  the  gospel  among  the  heathen. 

The  proposal  for  settling  on  Penn's  land  or  any  where  else 
in  the  way  of  townships,  I  cannot  approve  of.  On  the  contra- 
ry, I  think  the  gospel  should  be  sent  among  the  Indians  by 
people  of  their  own  color,  educated  at  your  school,  with  such 
missionaries  as  are  best  qualified  for  the  service.  And  I  think 
the  first  impression  ought  to  be  made  upon  the  six  nations,  who 
take  the  lead  in  every  thing  among  all  the  tribes  in  alliance 
with  Great  Britain. 

Pray  God  to  prosper   your  design,   and  that  you  may  see 
abundant  fruits  of  your  pious  labors  in  this  life,  as  they  will  un- 
doubtedly be  your  crown  of  glory  in  the  next. 
I  am,  your  most  humble  servant, 

WILLIAM  LIVINGSTON„ 


Frmi  Mr.   T.  Knap. 

London,  March  30,    1767. 

Rev.  Sir, 

As  your  school  is  instituted  for  universal  good,  so  1  have 
sent  you  a  present  of  half  a  dozen  books  of  universal  use,  be- 
ing a  collection  of  favorite  tunes,  that  are  used  by  all  the  dif- 
ferent denominations  among  us.  Sir,  I  beg  the  favor,  that  what 
is  to  spare,  besides  what  you  keep  for  your  own  use,  may  be 
given  to  those,  who  will  make  the  best  use  of  them,  and  that 
you  would  be  so  kind  as  to  convey  those,  that  are  directed  to 
the  Uev.  Mr.  Kirkland,  and  Mr.  David  Foivier,  safe  and  as 
soon  as  possible  ;  and  you  will  oblige.     Rev.  Sir, 

Yours,  &c. 
T.    KNAP. 

P.  S.  I  have  called  a  new  tune  in  page  72,  Lebanon,  out 
of  respect  to  you. 

35 


^74  APPENDIX. 

To  Mr.  Whilaker. 

Lebanon,  April  16,  1767. 
Kev.  and  Deai-  Sir, 

Four  days  ago  Mr.  Kirkland  arrived  ;   his  state  of  health  is 
better  than  it  was  ;   he  seems  at   last  fuily   convinced  that  he 
myst  for  a  while  abate  of  his  labors  and  fatigues,   or  soon  quit 
the  whole  service.     The  account  he  gives,  is,  in  the  main,  very 
agreeable  ;  the  Indians  of  that  town   are  almost  universally  at- 
tached to  him  ;  cannot  bear  a  word  of  his  leaving  them  ;  they 
have  made  a  great  proficiency  in  the  school  in  reading  and  sing- 
ing; of  the  latter  he  says,  I  cannot  speak  too  well ;   it  is  quite 
beyond  what  any  vvill  conceive,  unless  they  could   hear  them  ; 
he  says  he  hears  no  such  singing  in  the  country;  they  carry 
three  parts  with   great  exactness,  and  many  of  them  yet  eager 
to  improve  further  in  tlie  art.     This  is  all  new,  and   beyond 
what  was  ever  yet  known  among  Indians;   many  of  them  say, 
they  never  knew   such  pleasure  before ;   that  it  is  worthwhile 
to  be  christians,  if  they  had  nothing  more  by  it,  than  the  plea- 
sure of  singing  praises  to  God.     And  to  assist  them  further,  Mr. 
Kirkland  has  already  begun,  and  designs  to  go  on,  to  translate 
psalms  and  hymns  into  their  language,  and  fit  them  to  tunes. 
This  is  surprising  and  aftecting  to  some  that  came  among  then\ 
from  foreign  tribes.     At  present  there  is  a  great  reformation 
among  them  as  to  their  morals;  there  have  been  but  two  drunk 
belonging  to  that  town  since  December  l3th,  and  one  of  them 
was  the  only    one  of  that  town,  who  opposed  Mr.  Kirkland's 
measures.     On  that  day,  Mr.  K.  (after   many  unsuccessful  at- 
tempts to  put  a  stop  to  that  vice)  called  the  town  together  and 
told  them,  if  they  would  all  of  them,  men  and  women,  old  and 
youu'^'",  agree  and  solemnly  engage  to  leave  ofi'their  drunkenness, 
and  enable  him  to  put  such  determination  in  execution,  by  ap- 
pointing six  or  eight  of  their  chief  men  to  be  with,    and  assist 
him  therein^with  full  power  to  seize  all  intoxicating  liquor  and 
destroy  it,  or  dispose  of  it  as  he  should  think  proper,  he  would 
tarry  with  them,  otherwise  he  would  leave  them.     Therefore, 


atppendix.  275 

after  four  days  consideration,  they  unanimously  appointed 
eight,  whom  Mr.  Kirkiand  nominated,  who  have  been  very  of- 
ficious and  faithful  in  the  affair.  And  the  success  of  this  step 
has  heen  such,  that,  notwithstanding  about  eighty  kegs  or 
casks  of  rum  have,  since  that  time,  been  carried  through  that 
town,  and  offered  for  sale,  and  in  a  number  of  instances  offered 
freely,  as  a  present,  and  their  acceptance  strongly  urged,  yet 
they  have  never  in  one  instance  been  prevailed  upon  to  ac- 
cept it ;  steadily  replying,  when  urged  to  it,  it  is  contrary  to 
the  minister's  word,  and  our  agreement  with  him.  A  number 
have  publicly  made  confession  of  their  past  drunkenness  and 
other  vices.  And  to  two  in  particular  above  the  rest,  Mr.  K. 
hopes  God  has  granted  repentance  unto  life. 

This  has  had  a  very  dilierent  effect  upon  the  Indians  of  old, 
Oneida,  where  Mr.  K.  was  sent  last  spring,  but  left  them  for 
want  of  health,  as  1  inforrried-  3'ou.  Two  of  the  principal  men 
of  that  town,  have  returned  to  live  under  Mr.  K's  instruction 
the  rest  of  the  town  are  generally  in  opposition  to  the  reforma- 
tion begun,  and  to  Mr.  K.  as  the  instrument  of  it;  the  enmity 
is  so  great,  that  near  relations  as  brothers  "and  sisters  have  not 
visited  one  another  since  the  aforesaid  agreement.  A  number 
of  that  town  have  been  trying  every  artifice  to  overthrow,  and 
prevent  the  progress  of  the  reformation,  on  which  account  Mr. 
K.  designs,  after  a  very  short  visit,  to  return  himself,  and  not 
trust  the  affair  to  a  stranger.  I  take  this  account  from  his  own 
mouth. 

The  school  there   has  been  well  conducted    under  David 
Fowler. 

Your  most  cordial  Brother,  &c. 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 
Rev.  N.  JVhitaker.     , 


9>7G  APPENDIX. 

From  the  Rev,  Ezra  Stiles,  D.  D. 

Newport,  Nov.  4,   1767. 
Pvev.  Sir, 

I  have  taken  the  liberty,  through  your  hands,  to  address  Mr. 
"Kirklaiid,  with  a  request  for  some  information  respecting  the 
antiquities  of  the  Indians ;  more  particularly  with  the  view  of 
procuring  some  account  of  a  rock,  said  to  be  charged  with  In- 
dian characters.  Your  communication  with  the  tribes,  gives 
you  opportunity  of  much  information.  I  have,  therefore,  sent 
Mr,  Kirkland's  letter  open  and  shall  be  obliged  to  you  for  an 
answer  to  any  of  the  questions,  especially  as  I  can  scarcely 
expect  one  for  Oneida  till  next  spring.  Permit  me  to  request 
that  you  would  do  me  the  favor  to  seal  and  forward  it.  I  have 
found  a  rock  on  Rhode  Island,  charged  with  characters,  though 
unintelligible.  I  intend  to  transmit  a  drawing  of  it  to  the 
Royal  Society,  and  would  join  with  it,  that  which  I  request  of 
Mr.  Kirkland,  if  I  could  be  so  happy  as  to  procure  it. 

I  beg  leave.  Sir,  to  congratulate  you  on  the  honor  done  you 
by  the  University  of  Edinburgh,  in  conferring  on  you  the 
doctorate  in  divinity,  and  on  the  success  of  your  application  to 
Europe,  for  the  fund  of  your  Indian  Academy.  This,  in  my 
opinion,  is  a  noble  institution,  and  I  sincerely  pray  the  bless- 
ing of  heaven  upon  it.  It  affords  almost  the  only  prospect  of 
christianizing  the  American  aboriginals.  May  you  be  carried 
successfully  through  all  your  evangelical  labors,  for  the  inter* 
est  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 

I  am.  Rev.  Sir,  Your  unworthy 

Fellow  laborer  in  the  gospel, 

EZRA  STILES. 
Rev.  Doctor  WJicelock. 


APPENDIX.  277 

From  the  Indian  Council,  Nanrigansett. 

Narragaiisett,  December  8,  1767. 
Reverend  Sir, 

As  you  are  in  some  measure  sensible,  that  we  are  in  trib- 
ulation on  account  of  our  lands,  being  disposed  of  contrary  to 
our  minds,  we  would  let  you  know,  that  our  trouble  is  aggra- 
vated by  the  resolve  of  the  last  Assembly  ;  that  we  must  send 
home  for  redress,  or  sulier  ourselves  to  be  ruined. 

We  are  truly  sorry,  we  are  obliged  to  take  Toby  and  Jolm 
from  their  study ;  but  as  we  have  none  so  capable  of  doing 
business  as  they  are,  we  are  obliged  to.  We  hope  it  will  not 
incur  your  displeasure  ;  hope  you  will  remember,  that  we  let 
you  know  by  a  letter  last  spring,  that  if  we  wanted  their  as- 
sistance we  must  have  it.  We  are  thankful  for  the  degree  of 
learning  you  have  given  them  already  ;  also  your  notice  of  us 
in  writing  to  Sir  William,  which  vvas  to  our  profit.  We  hope 
to  receive  yet,  greater  benefits  by  your  school. 

Rev.  Sio  we  heartily  subscribe  ourselves. 

Your  obedient  humble  servants. 


SAMUEL  NILES, 
JAMES  NILES,  -   t^, 

JOSEPH  GIFFIN,     f  .  ^}'^ 
TH031AS  LEWIS,     H,    '^", 
EPHRALM  COYER,  \  '-ouncil. 
ROGER  WOBBY,     J 


I 


From  the  Ret.  Thomas  Gifford,  D.  D. 

London,  March  5,  1768. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

I  have,  as  Dr.  Whitaker  will  witness,  exerted  myself  in 
favor  of  the  errand,  upon  which  he  and  his  colleague  visited 
our  kingdom.  I  am  glad  that  Providence  has  crowned  their 
application  with  so  much  success,  and  shall  be  glad  to  hear 
that  you  are  abundantly  blessed  in  your  great  and  good-under- 
taking. O  that  the  wilderness,  and  the  solitary  places  may 
blossom  and  rejoice  before  your  sacred  endeavors,  and  that  the 


278  APPENDIX. 

day  may  come,  Nvhen  Indian  Savages  shall  bow  to  the  septre 
of  the  great  Emanuel,  and  be  partakers  of  that  salvation,  which 
is  in  him,  with  eternal  glory  !  Dr.  Whitaker  has  met  with  dif- 
ficulties, as  he  will  undoubtedly  inform  you  ;  bu".  I  have  no 
reason  to  apprehend  him  other  than  a  good  and  worthy  man  ; 
and  as  I  have  shared  him  my  friendship  during  his  stay  in  our 
country,  so  I  parted  with  him  as  my  friend,  and  most  heartily 
pray  that  God  would  own  him  and  bless  hini,  as  his  good  and 
faithful  servant,  as  I  trust  he  is. 

I  remain.  Sir,  your  affectionate  friend  and  servant, 

THOMAS  GIFFORD. 


From  the  Rev.  Doctor  G.  A.  Frajick,'^  of  Hall  in  Saxony,  to 
J.  Thornton,  Esq.  Treasurer  of  the  Trust  in  London. 

July  8,  1768. 
SIR, 

I  feel  a  singular  joy  for  the  good  work  which  God  is 
bringing  about  among  the  heathen  nations,  by  the  Rev.  Dr. 
Wlieelock  ;  I  have  also  the  joyful  satisfaction  to  see  that  the 
Lord  has  excited  a  pious  and  charitable  Lady,  on  reading  these 
accounts,  to  assign  one  hundred  crowns,  or  ofl?,  lOs.  sterling, 
for  this  excellent  institution  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Wheelock's  ;  and 
as  Sjhe  has  put  the  money  into  my  hands  to  transmit  the  same, 
it  gives  me  double  satislaction,  that  even  from  Germany  sonie 
benefaction  is  made  for  promoting  the  kingdom  of  Christ  a- 
mong  the  North  American  Indians,  and  that  1  am  honored  to 
be  the  channel  of  the  gift.  It  is  but  small  indeed,  and  unbe- 
lief might  suggest,  that  such  a  trifle  was  not  worth  the  sending 
twice  over  the  sea  :  iaith,  however,  is  sure  that  all  such  bene- 
factions do  remain  in  the  hand  of  the  Almighty  Creator  of 
heaven  and  earth,  who  by  his  blessing  is  able  to  make  that 
very  trifle  conducive  to   promoting   his  honor  and  glory,  and 

*  Son   and  successor  of  the  eminently  i)ious  and  benevolent  Founder 
of  the  <^rp!<an  lloiise  in  Saxony. 


APPENDIX.  ^79 

the  salvation  of  souls  ;  who  besides  has  the  treasures  of  the 
earth  every  where  in  his  power,  and  overlooks  tlie  small  gifts 
no  more  than  the  large  ones. 

May  he  further  vouchsafe  to  crown  the  faith  of  his  servant. 
Dr.  Wheelock,  with  the  most  glorious  fruit  of  a  blessed  break- 
ing forth  of  his  kingdom  among  the  savages ;  and  may  he 
never  sufier  has  confidence,  with  respect  to  the  expence  re- 
quisite for  this  institution,  to  be  confounded,  but  be  pleased 
always  to  provide  the  requisites. 


To  the  Misses  Warhnans,  four  sisters  in  Gloucester. 

Lebanon,  Connecticut,  Aug.  17,  176S. 
Kind  Ladies, 

Your  characters,  and  your  thoughts  of  kindness  and  labors 
of  love  towards  the  great  Redeemer's  cause  and  kingdom  in 
the  wilds  of  America,  as    the  same  has  beeii  given  me  by  the 

Rev.  Dr.  W r;  not  only   embolden,    but  constrain   m.e  to 

address  you  with  this  letter  of  thanks,  which  is  a  small  return 
indeed,  though  perhaps  all  you  expect  from  me,  besides  the 
faithful  improvement  of  whatever  you  or  others  have,  or  shall 
commit  to  my  stewardship.  The  Loid  requite  your  benefi- 
cence a  thousand  fold  in  better  things  than  you  can  o-ive 
And  as  all  the  reward  you  had  in  view,  was  the  salvation  of 
souls,  of  some  of  the  most  miserable  and  wretched  of  the  hu- 
man race  ;  so  I  now  rejoice,  that  I  am  abfe  to  tell  you,  that, 
through  the  blessing  of  God  upon  a  preached  gospel,  amono- 
the  savages  at  Oneida,  &c.  there  has  been  for  some  months 
past,  and  still  continues  to  be  a  glorious  work  of  God's  o-pace. 
In  that  dark  corner,  w  hich  a  few  months  ago  was  a  haljitation 
of  cruelty  and  gross  paganism,  there  is  now  a  blessed  nest  of 
Christians,  and  such  as  were  not  God's  people,  must  now,  in 
a  judgment  of  christian  charity,  be  called  the  children  of  God. 
There,  in  their  little  despicable  bark  huts,  the  true  God  is  now 


280  APPENDIX. 

worshipped  in  spirit  and  trulh  :  and  the  poor,  greasy,  lousy, 
half  starved  creatures  are  from  day  to  day  fed  with  the  hidden 
manna,  and  a  number  of  them  rejoicing  with  joy  unspeakable. 
One  of  them  has  lately  been  down  three  hundred  miles  to  see 
me  and  my  school  ;  he  continued  with  me  for  some  weeks, 
and  appeared  indeed  to  have  his  conversation  in  heaven  ;  and 
took  an  aifectionate  leave  of  me  about  a  fortnight  ago,  assur- 
in<^  me,  that  his  utmost  endeavors  shall  unite  with  mine,  to 
help  forward  the  great  design  in  view.  A  number  of  the  same 
tribe  were  here  with  him,  all  of  whom  appeared  very  friendly. 

Last  evening  Mr.  Kinne,  whom  I  sent  thither  about  three 
months  ago,  to  supply  them  while  Mr.  Kirkland  should  be 
usino-  means  for  the  recovery  of  his  health,  returned  to  me, 
and  says,  that  he  does  not  see  a  greater  appearance  of  true  re- 
li^rion  any  where,  than  in  that  Indian  town.  The  Lord  grant 
that  the  leaven  may  spread   till  the  whole  lump   be  leavened 

bv  it. 

I  rejoiced  to  hear  the  honor  God  has  put  upon  you,  in  not 
only  giving  you  hearts,  but  also  abilities  to  do  much  to  further 
this  design  ;  and  I  trust  if  I  should  appear  as  a  beggar,  and  an 
importunate  one  too,  upon  such  an  occasion,  you  will  not  think 
I  am  acting  out  of  char?cter,  since  it  is  not  my  own;  but  the 
Redeemer's  cause  I  am  pleading ;  but  I  mean  now.  good  La- 
dies, only  to  hint  to  you,  that  Providence  has  opened  a  door 
for  vou  to  bestow  your  liberalities  for  this  glorious  purpose,  and 
thereby  perpetuate  your  own  names,  and  a  name  better  than 
of  sons  and  daughters;  and  especially  if  you  should  see  fit  to 
appoint  of  your  substance,  when  it  has  served  what  it  can  your 
pilgrimage  to  heaven,  such  a  sum  as  may  be  suflicient  to  sup« 
port  a  President  of  this  school  or  useful  Professors  in  it — They 
shall  bear  your  name  in  that  capacity,  or  if  you  choose  it,  a 
youth  or  youths,  who  shall  be  supported  by  your  charity,  they 
shall  bear  your  name  while  students  of  this  Academy  ;  or  any 
other  way,  if  any   you  shall   think  of  more  agreeable  to  you  ; 


APPENDIX.  281 

•but,  if  you  have  thought  of  other  ways  by  which  you  may 
glorify  God,  than  by  disposing  of  what  he  has  committed  to 
your  stewardship  to  this  purpose ;  I  wish  his  blessing  may  at- 
tend it,  and  all  your  works  and  labors  of  love,  for  his  name's 
sake — and  believe  me,  I  am  with  sincere  respect  and  esteem. 
Your  unknown,  but  assured  Friend, 

And  very  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth, 

Lebanon,  December  22,  1768. 
May  it  please  your  Lordship, 

I  herewith  present  you  a  small  specimen  of  the  produce 
and  manufacture  of  the  American  wilderness.  I  have  been 
sometime  waiting  to  be  able  to  offer  your  Lordship  that,  which 
is  perfectly  simple,  and  without  the  least  mixture  of  any  for- 
eign merchandize  ;  but  our  traders  have  penetrated  so  far  into 
their  country,  that  I  have  hitherto  found  that  to  be  impractica- 
ble, unless  I  had  taken  some  articles,  which  were  defaced  by 
use.  The  pipe  I  here  present  you,  is  covered  with  porcupine 
quills,  the  bowl  is  stone.  The  longer  string  or  braid  is  that, 
which  they  bind  their  burdens  with  for  their  backs,  the  broad 
part  of  it  in  the  middle  goes  over  their  heads,  and  is  wrought 
with  a  moose's  mane.  The  lesser  string  is  such  as  they  use  to 
bind  their  captives  with ;  and  the  substance  of  both  is  elm 
bark,  which  they  manufacture  something  after  the  manner 
which  we  do  flax.  The  tobacco  pouch  they  hang  upon  the 
right  shoulder,  and  under  the  left  arm.  The  knife  case  hangs 
from  their  neck  upon  their  breast.  The  brass,  tin,  and  beads 
in  the  several  articles,  they  now  use  instead  of  wampom,  which 
they  make  of  shells,  horns,  and  houghs  of  animals  ;  the  coloring 
is  with  roots  and  barks — and  all  is  manufactured  with  their 
fingers. 

36 


^SQ  APPENDIX. 

Some  months  ago,  three  little  Indian  boys  of  the  Oneida 
tribe,  of  about  eight  or  ten  years  old,  before  they  could  speak 
or  understand  a  word  of  English,  went  out,  with  each  his  little 
dish,  and  gathered  them  full  of  berries,  which  they  presumed 
would  be  acceptable  to  me ;  and  returned  each  with  his  pre- 
sent, and  with  a  smile  in  his  countenance  presented  them  to 
me ;  which  my  interpreter  told  me,  was  designed  as  a  testimo- 
nial that  they  loved  me.  Your  Lordship  will  easily  conceive 
what  emotion  this  occasioned  in  my  breast,  towards  the  little 
savage  wretches.  If  this  Indian  present  may  be  as  acceptable 
to  your  Lordship,  and  produce  the  same  sentiments  of  my  af- 
fection and  respect  towards  you,  as  theirs  did  in  me,  it  will  at- 
tain the  highest  end  my  ambition  aspires  after ;  but  however 
this  may  be,  I  assure  your  Lordship,  had  I  only  opportunity, 
and  skill  to  do  it,  I  would  give  you  the  fullest  demonstration, 
that  I  am  with  sincerest  affection,  and  highest  esteem. 
Your  Lordship's  most  obedient 

And  most  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 

P.  S.  I  have  sent  a  pair  of  shoes  and  a  pair  of  garters,  nor. 
mentioned  above. 


From  the  Rev.  David  Parsons. 

Amherst,  July  29,   1771. 
Rev.  Sir,  and  my  very  Dear  Brother, 

I  received  the  favor  of  your  letter  by  Mr.  K g,  and  re- 
joice that  your  courage  bears  up,  and  that  College  affairs  wear 
so  favorable  an  aspect ;  I  cannot  but  hope,  that  the  same  divine 
Providence,  that  has  made  so  fair  a  beginning  and  opening  in 
a  desert  wilderness,  will  still  prosper  it.  And  since  his  own 
glory,  and  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom,  seems 
to  me,  the  special  object  aimed  at ;  it  seems  to  be  entitled 
more  specially  to  the  Redeemer's  care.     You  say  Sir,  the  ene- 


APPENDIX,  283 

niies  of  the  College  are  many,  crafty,  and  unwearied  ;  per- 
haps all  true,  and  what  then  ?  does  not  faith  satisfy  you,  that 
greater  is  tie,  that  is  for  you  than  they  that  are  against  you  ? 
Does  not  prayer  prevail  over  power  and  policy  ?  Though  the 
saints  have  generally  but  little  authority  vested  in  them  ;  yet 
believe  it,  Sir,  the  world  is  much  conducted  b)'  their  prayers. 
I  own  the  enterprise  is  extraordinary,  yet  I  speak  with  some 
confidence,  what  has  been  said  in  another  case  ;  Magna  est  et 
prxvakbit.  I  continue  of  the  same  mind,  as  when  I  visited  you 
in  the  winter,  that  your  College  aflbrds  the  fairest  prospect  of 
furnishing  the  churches  with  qualified  ministers,  of  any  one 
upon  the  Continent. 

Oh,  Sir !  should  I  tell  you,  what  sort  of  men,  frequently  ap- 
ply for  licence  to  preach,  yea.  Sir,  and  obtain  licence  too,  I 
should  pierce  you  to  the  heart ;  but  the  pretence  is,  the 
churches  must  be  supplied,  and  none  better  offer. 

I  hope  it  will  not  continue  so ;  if  it  should,  the  ministry  must 
still  sink  into  greater  contempt,  which  God  forbid. 

I  am  grieved  at  the  continuance  of  your  son^s  malady,  and 
fear  much  what  trial  you  may  be  called  to  :  Dem  avertet  omen  f 
I  send  my  kind  compliments  and  good  wishes  to  him,  your  la- 
dy, daughter,  &c.  specially  to  that  dear  man,  Mr.  Woodward, 
whose  kind  letter  I  received,  but  have  not  time  at  present  to 
return  the  compliment.  I  shall  hope  to  see  him,  and  you  too. 
Sir,  soon.     And  desire  to  believe  me,  to  be  your  affectionate 

friend  and  fellow  laborer, 

DAVID  PARSONS, 


Fro7?i  the  Rev.  J.  Smith. 

Charlestown,  Jan.  7,  1772. 
Kev.  President  of  Dartmouth  College, 

I  was  favored  with  your  letter  of  October  4,  177  1,  wherein 
I  received  the  melancholy  news  of  the  death  of  your  dear  son- 
in-law,  the  Rev.  Mr.  Maltby.     I  have  been  acquainted  with 


$184  APPENDIX. 

him,  these  eighteen  years ;  I  have  heard  him  preach  in  Ber- 
inuda.  When  he  was  discharged  from  thence,  he  came  to  my 
house.  He  intended  to  settle  at  Wiltown.  When  he  went  to 
the  northward  for  his  health,  I  expected  him  by  the  first  vessel 
here ;  but  God's  thoughts  are  not  as  our  thoughts.  It  was  a 
great  loss  truly — a  gentleman  of  such  abilities,  such  an  excel- 
lent spirit,  such  a  christian,  and  such  a  faithful  minister,  I 
think,  as  you  do,  justly  to  be  esteemed  very  great.  But,  alas  I 
we  are  but  .dying  preachers.  He  died  the  day  after  the  Rev. 
Mr.  T— — s,  pastor  of  this  church.  I  send  you  a  sermon  upon 
his  death.  I  am  a  stranger  to  most  of  his  people  at  Wiltown  ; 
but  I  got  a  friend,  that  was  acquainted  with  them,  to  transcribe 
part  of  a  letter,  wherein  you  affectionately  express  your  great 
concern  for  them. 

I  have  not,  as  yet,   received  any  thing  of  your  journal  and 
copy  of  charter ;  but  my   earnest  prayers  are   for  you,  with 
which  I  conclude,  with  great  respect.  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 
Yoar  very  affectionate,  though  unworthy  brother,  and 
Fellow  servant,  in  the  kingdom  and  patience 
of  Jesus  Christ, 

J.  SMITH. 


To  the  Right  Hon.  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth. 

Hanover,  N.  H.  December  20,  1772. 
May  it  please  your  Lordship, 

Both  duty  and  afiection  constrain  me  to  give  your  Lord- 
ship the  trouble  of  this  line,  by  which  I  would,  if  I  knew  how 
to  do  it,  suitably  express  my  joy  and  gladness  (which,  I  know, 
should  terminate  in  the  wise  and  gracious  disposer  of  all  the 
affairs  of  states  and  kingdoms)  that  your  Lordship  is  appointed 
to  the  American  administration.  This  event  has,  ray  Lord, 
spread  an  universal  joy  through  this  continent.  But,  I  think 
I  have  to  acknowledge  my  share  in  this  favor  of  heaven,  to  be 
aaany  fold  larger  than  is  common  to  my  countrymen,  as  your 


APPENDIX.  285 

Lordship  had  before  condescended  to  patronize  this  dear  semi- 
nary, under  my  care  ;  and  by  your  repeated  favors  towards  it, 
your  Lordship  has  inspired  a  confidence,  that  it  will  vet  con- 
tinue to  be  the  object  of  your  care  and  kindness,  beyond  what 
is  natural  to  expect  from  any  other.  And  especially,  as  I  know 
your  heart  to  be  so  much  set  upon  the  advancement  of  the 
kingdom  of  the  great  Redeemer,  and  the  salvation  of  the  souls 
of  men.  My  hopes  have  been,  and,  I  hope,  still  are  in  God 
alone,  to  perform  the  desire  of  my  heart,  with  respect  to  this 
cause,  which  has  been  so  long  the  object.  And  they  have  been 
strengthened  and  encouraged,  from  time  to  time,  by  a  series 
of  occurrences,  which,  I  have  been  constrained  to  understand, 
as  so  many  testimonies,  that  God  does  own,  and  'jvill  succeed 
and  prosper  it  to  the  glory  of  his  own  name.  But  in  no  in- 
stance, excepting  in  the  repeated  effusion  of  his  spirit  of  grace 
upon  it,  does  his  loving  kindness  appear  towards  it  more  con- 
spicuous, than  in  promoting  its  great  patron,  and  so  great  a 
lover  of  Christ,  and  one,  I  trust,  so  greatly  beloved  of  him,  to 
such  an  important  post ;  which  gives  your  Lordship  opportu- 
nity to  express  and  give  vent  to  all  that  benevolence,  which 
your  Lordship  has,  ahead}',  so  many  ways  manifested  towards 
it.  May  God  long  lengthen  out  your  important  life,  to  fill  a 
place  of  such  consequence  to  America  ;  and  make  your  influ- 
ence effectual  to  remove  jealousies,  restore  perfect  harmony, 
mutual  affection,  and  confidence  between  these  colonies  and 
their  mother  country ;  and  honor  you  to  be  instrumental  of 
much  glory  to  your  great  Redeemer,  in  your  dignified  station. 
The  enclosed  petitions  to  his  majesty,  I  wholly  submit  to 
your  Lordship's  disposal.  You  fully  know  the  desi"-n  of  them, 
and  are  a  competent  judge  of  their  reasonableness  and  impor- 
tance. If  his  majesty  shall  graciously  grant  my  prayer,  for 
the  encouragement  of  missionaries,  your  Lordship  may,  if  voa 
please,  recommend  it,  to  be  trusted  with  me  and  mv  successors 
or  with  the  corporation  of  this   College,  to    be  disposed  of  as 


S86  APPENDIX. 

occasion  shall  require.  Herewith  is  also  enclosed,  an  address 
humbly  ofiered  to  your  Lordship  by  a  number  of  my  pupils, 
who  have  made  an  offering  of  themselves  to  the  Lord's  service, 
among  the  Lidians  ;  if  he  shall  please  to  employ  them  therein. 
Your  Lordship  will  see  they  are  of  different  standing  in  the 
College  and  School,  and,  I  hope,  will  be  ready  to  go  forth  in 
that  service,  in  a  succession,  as  God  in  his  Providence  shall 
call  them  to  it.  And  if,  by  your  Lordship's  influence,  this  ap- 
plication in  their  favor  shall  be  successful,  I  doubt  not,  but  it 
will  be  esteemed  some  balance  for  the  hardships  and  fatigues 
they  expect  to  encounter  in  their  mission,  and  lesson  the  weight 
of  a  common  objection,  made  against  their  undertaking  there- 
in, viz.  that  their  families  after  them  may  be  exposed  to  poverty 
and  miser}'^  thereby. 

I  here  enclose  a   specimen  of  the  writing  of  several  of  my 
Indian  boys,  lately  from  Canada. 

I  propose  to  send  this  by  the  way  of  Portsmouth,  and  de- 
sire a  friend  to  cover  it  with  a  Narrative  1  lately  sent  to  the 
press  there  ;  which  I  pray  your  Lordship  to  accept,  if  it  should 
come  to  your  hand.  If  it  be  not  ready,  your  Lordship  may 
expect  it  by  the  first  opportunity  And  only  beg  leave  to  add, 
that  I  am  with  sincerest  duty,  affection,  and  esteem. 
Your  Lordship's  most  obedient,  and 
Most  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 

The  Right  Hon.  W.  Earl  of  D. 


To  John  Thornton,  Esquire. 

Hanover,  May  6,  1772. 
Much  Honored  Sir, 

Last  evening  your  very  kind  letter  of  March  27th,  with 
the  enclosed  characters  of  ABC  came  safe  to  hand,  by  the  spe- 
cial post  that  brought  Mr.  S — 's,  of  which  the  enclosed  is  an 


APPENDIX.  287 

•extract,  and  which  may,  in  connection  with  what  I  have  lately 
written,  let  you  see  the  progress  of  the  proposed  mission  to 
Muskingum.  I  have  wrote  Mr.  Occum,  desiring  him  to  accept 
the  mission  (of  which  I  wrote  you  lately)  and  take  David  Fow- 
ler with  him,  as  companion  and  school  master.  I  design  these 
young  gentlemen  (who  will  set  out  in  a  few  days)  shall  go  by 
Motiegan,  and  prevail  with  Mr.  Occum,  if  they  can,  to  accom- 
pany them.  I  have  promised  him  the  same  reward  as  shall  be 
allowed  them.  My  hope  is  only  in  God — he  is  my  only  prop. 
The  storm  that  is  raised  against  me  don't,  can't  dismay  me, 
while  I  believe  the  cause  is  God's,  and  see  him  prospering  it 
among  the  floods,  see  him  evidently  sitting  upon  them. 

If  my  honored  patrons  can  find  any  alteration,  that  can  be 
made  in  the  charter,  with  safety  to  the  School,  I  will  do  my 
utmost  to  eff^ect  the  same.  I  cannot  consent,  that  so  large 
an  interest  as  is  now  held  by  it  (which  I  verily  believe  to  be 
given  by  God,  in  answer  to  prayer)  should  be  given  up. 

I  long  to  have  that  done  which  will  be  honorary  and  satis- 
factory to  my  honored  patrons.  One  frown  from  them  (as  f 
verily  believe  them  to  be  the  favorites  of  heaven,  and  to  have  a 
single  eye  to  the  Redeemer's  cause)  would  depress  and  sink  me 
more  than  all  the  slandering  of  thousands,  who  are  inspired 
from  another  quarter.  These  storms  rather  encourage  and 
strengthen  me.  I  believe  satan  well  knows,  that  his  kingdom 
is  in  danger  from  it,  and,  if  possible,  will  prevent  the  pious 
souls,  who  are  fitting  to  storm  his  castle,  from  appearing  in 
arms  against  his  strong  holds. 

I  know  you  will  not  cease  to  pray  for,  honored  Sir, 

Your  obliged  and  very  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WIIEELOCK. 
J.  TJiornfon.  Esq, 


28S  APPENDIX. 

From  John   Thornton,  Esquire, 

Brighton,  Sept.  14,  1772. 
pear  and  Reverend  Sir, 

I  was  unwilling  to  omit  the  first  opportunity  of  thanking 
you  for  3^our  favor  of  the  3d  inst.  I  am  glad  the  books,  &c, 
proved  acceptable.     My  wife  and  I  were  sorry  to  hear  so  poor 

an  account  of  Mrs. it  must  be  a  most  distressing  scene ; 

and  we  do  most  sincerely  sympathize  with  you.  Afflictions 
are  not  joyous,  but  grievous.  However,  we  are  assured  they 
bring  forth  the  peaceful  fruits  of  righteousness.  Every  rod  has 
a  voice ;  and  whether  the  Almighty  pleases  to  warn,  correct, 
or  edify  us,  we  happily  know,  that  love  is  at  the  bottom. 
Therefore,  it  is  our  wisdom,  as  well  as  our  duty,  to  examine 
ourselves,  under  such  circumstances;  and,  if  possible,  find  out 
the  reason,  why  the  Almigbty  contendeth  with  us.  And  if  we 
are  sincere  and  upright  in  our  search,  we  may  often  discover 
the  way,  and  wherefore  we  are  brought  into  such  trials.  Some- 
times we  find,  that  world liness  has  gained  the  ascendency  over 
us;  some  particular  lust  is  to  be  purged  and  mortified.  Some- 
limes  a  too  close  attachment  to  our  lawful  employments  is 
discovered.  Perhaps  we  find  a  decline  in  spiritual  life  ;  we 
grow  formal,  and  want  quickening  ;  or  the  Lord  is  about  to 
teach  us  more  effectually  tlie  things  of  our  peace  ;  and  dispose^ 
us  to  seriousness  and  recollection,  by  affliction  and  trouble, 
Happy  is  it  for  us,  if  these  things  be  sanctified  for  the  good  of 
our  souls.  We  shall  then  have  reason  to  say,  it  was  good  for 
us  to  be  in  trouble. 

The  duty  of  a  christian,  I  am  persuaded  is,  to  look  nicely  to 
Providence  ;  to  seek  after  a  flexible,  childlike  disposition  ;  to 
submit  to  every  dispensation  ;  to  have  an  adoring  gratitude  to 
the  father  of  mercies,  and  to  have  the  heart  filled  with  love  to 
the  everloving,  everlovely  Jesus.  If  I  am  writing,  1  would  al- 
ways say  something  of  his  excellencies.  In  conversation,  I 
would  wish  him  to  be  the  chief  topic   of  discourse.     I  wouW 


APPENDS  289 

ITave  him  in  my  thoughts,  lying  down  and  rising  up.  His  love 
is  immense  >  and  a  sense  of  his  lore,  shed  abroad  in  the  heart, 
is  the  very  quintessence  of  happiness  here  below.  O  how  little 
of  this  is  known  in  the  professing  world  !  What  a  falling  away 
in  both  our  and  your  church.  A  spiritual  slumber  has,  insensi- 
bly, stolen  both  upon  preachers  and  hearers.  I  was  concerned 
to  find  this  so  much  the  case  in  Scotland,  where  I  hoped  better 
things.  If  the  Lord  of  life  is  not  supreilie  in  our  hearts,  he 
will  have  no  place  there.  To  guard  against  this  fatal  lethargy 
of  soul,  and  to  keep  grace  lively  and  vigorous  in  the  heart  and 
exercise,  I  find,  calls  for  great  attention  and  circumspection. 

It  may  seem  strange ;  but,  I  think,  eveO;  orthodox  opinions, 
delivered  in  a  cold  and  formal  way,  with*  ut  application,  seem 
to  have  a  tendency  to  lull  the  hearers  as;eep,  and  leave  them 
short  of  an  experimental  feeling  of  the  power  of  godliness. 

You,  my  dear  Sir,  have  it  in  your  power  to  do  great  things ; 
a  number  of  disciples  at  your  feet,  wIk»,  ere  long,  are  to  ap- 
pear, as  public  teachers  of  others.  I  dc  hope  you  will  make  it 
a  matter  of  conscience,  as  well  as  dut5%  to  guard  them  against 
error  in  their  judgment  on  the  one  hand,  and  formality  and 
supineness  on  the  other.  Then  they  will  be  blessings  to  the 
church  indeed.  The  best  of  all  knowledge  is,  without  doubt, 
the  knowledge  of  ourselves,  of  our  God,  and  of  Jesus,  whom  he 
hath  sent.  Other  branches  of  science  are  necessary,  and,  wheft 
sanctified,  may  be  of  great  utility  in  the  church ;  but  this  di- 
yine  knowledge  swallows  up  all  in  itself.  I  find  that,  notwith- 
standing all  human  endeavors,  divine  teaching  is  absolutely 
necessary,  to  give  an  interest  in  gospel  truths ;  and  to  bring 
them  home  with  power  to  the  soul. 

When  I  consider  your  situation,  as  having  the  first  forming 
©f  the  minds  of  many  for  the  ministry,  1  look  upon  your  office 
as  great  and  important,  according  to  our  ways  of  thinking.  The 
good  and  evil  of  many  thousands  may  depend  upon  the  right 
training  of  those  under  your  care  :  for,  generally  speaking,  as 

37 


290  APPENDIX. 

is  the  minister,  so  aHe  the  people.  If  the  minister  is  enlightem- 
ed,  lively  and  vigorous,  his  word  vi'ill  come  with  power  upon 
many,  and  make  them  so.  If  he  is  formal,  the  infection  wili 
spread  among  his  hearers.  If  he  is  lifeless,  spiritual  death  will 
be  visible  through  the  greatest  part  of  the  congregation.  In 
this  sense,  may  you,  my  dear  Sir,  become  the  spiritual  father 
of  many  generations,  and  be  an  happy  instrument  of  prevent- 
ing that  fatal  spiritual  lethargy,  that  has  got  too  much  power 
already,  and  seems  to  be  gaining  ground  in  almost  every  con- 
gregation. The  task  is  hard,  but  the  prospect  charming.  Ma- 
ny children,  when  you  are  qui^t  in  the  grave,  will  rise  up  and 
call  you  blessed. 

If  your  present  situation  has  a  tendency  to  enforce  these  im- 
portant concerns  upon  your  mind,  it  will  be  a  blessed  one. 

That  you  may  become  more  and  more  useful;  that  your  own 
soul  may  prosper ;  that  the  schools  of  the  prophets  may  be  re- 
plenished by  your  labor,  and,  that  you  may,  at  last,  have  an 
additional  glory  for  your  work's  sake,  is  the  earnest  prayer,  and 
sincere  desire  of. 

Dear  and  Rev.  Sir, 

Yours,  &c. 

JOHN  THORNTON. 


From  John  Thornton,  Esquire. 

Clapham,  June  10,   1772. 
Dear  and  Rev.  Sir, 

I  was  unwilling  to  omit  the  present  opportunity  of  thanking 

you,  for  yours  of  14th  April,  from  Norwich,  in  your  way  to 

Hartford.     And  it  gave  me  pleasure  to  hear  that  you  left  all 

well ;    and  that  Mr.  A y  continued  with  Mr.    Kirkland. 

May  the  Lord  ever  keep  us  simple  hearted,  ceasing  from  man, 

and  having  our  eye  ever  fixed  on  him.     The  Lord  our  God  is 

merciful,  gracious,   long  suffering,  abundant  in  goodness  and 

truth.     The  various  societies  of  believers,    are  united  in  one ; 

for  we  have  one  common  Lord,  one  faith,  and  one  baptism. 


APPENDIX.  ^91 

And  the  gifts  and  graces  of  the  spirit  are  aot  confined  to  any 
sect;  but  the  beauty  of  holiness  is  discernable,  throughput 
God's  universal  church;  in  all  that  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ 
in  sincerity.  Let  us  then  be  careful,  that  we  grieve  not  the 
Jeast  of  his  children,  whose  name  is  Jealous ;  and  above  all, 
take  heed  that  we  make  not  a  covenant  with  his  enemies  ;  but 
may  we  look  up  to  God  for  a  blessing,  that  he  may  give  us  a 
right  judgment  in  all  things. 

I  have,  since  writing  you  last,  received  a  well  written  letter 
from  dear  Mr.  Occuqi,  who  stands  high  in  my  good  opinion, 
for  that  honesty  and  simplicity  I  have  ever  remarked  in  him. 
As  I  sent  you  a  copy  of  my  last  letter  to  him,  I  trouble  you 
once  more,  with  what  I  have  now  written  him,  as  I  shall  re- 
joice to  hear  you  think  favorably  of  him. 

The  bands  of  the  wicked  have  robbed  God  ;  but  now  he  has 
broken  the  gates  of  brass,  and  burst  the  bars  of  iron  asunder, 
that  impede  the  promulgation  of  the  glorious  gospel.  I  doubt 
not  but  he  will  make  his  great  power  known.  May  judgment, 
mercy  and  faith  be  ever  in  exercise,  and  preserve  us  from  every 
evil  way.  May  the  Lord  guide  us  by  his  counsel,  and  after- 
wards receive  us  to  glory. 

I  am,  always,  with  sincere  regard. 

Dear  and  Rev.  Sir,  your  much  devoted  and 
Affectionate  servant, 

JOHN  THORNTON. 


From  the  Rev.  Charles  Beatty. 

Philadelphia,  April,  1772. 
Reverend  and  Dear  Sir, 

The  committee  of  the  board  of  correspondence  of  the  so- 
ciety in  Scotland,  for  propagating  christian  knowledge,  are  now 
sitting,  and  have  an  agreeable  prospect  of  opening  a  mission 
soon,  among  the  Delaware  Indians,  upon  iMuskingum,  about 
one  hundred  miles  westward  of  Fort  Pitt.     They  are  informed. 


2192  APPENDIX. 

that  there  is  considerable  ground  to  hope  it  will  be  in  your 
power  to  provide  them  with  a  suitable  missionary  for  that 
purpose,  and  would  be  extremely  glad  of  your  influence  and 
assistance  in  that  afl'air.  But  that  you  may  have  a  full,  and 
particular  account  of  this  important  design,  have  appointed 
three  of  their  number,  viz.  Mr.  Beatty,  Mr.  Brainard,  and  Mr, 
Spencer ;  to  meet  you  at  such  time  and  place,  as  you  may 
judge  convenient;  either  in  Connecticut,  or  in  some  other 
place,  you  shall  be  pleased  to  appoint ;  hoping  that  such  an 
interview  may  be  of  singular  service,  in  promoting  the  general 
interest  of  our  blessed  Redeemer. 

Signed  by  order.  CHARLES  BEATTY,  Sec. 

P.  S.  If  it  should  be.  agreeable  to  you,  it  would  be  most 
convenient  to  the  above  gentlemen,  to  meet  you  at  Hartford, 
the  25ih  of  April  next,  that  they  may  have  time  to  return,  by 
the  meeting  of  Synod,  which  will  be  the  20th  of  May.  Your 
answer  is  desired  by  post,  as  soon  as  may  be,  directed  to  Mr, 
Spencer,  at  Trenton,  New  Jersey. 


From  His  Excellenci/  Governor  Wentworth, 

Wentworth-House,  June  24,  1772. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

Mr.  Storrs  has  this  minute  called  upon  me,  earlier  than  ex- 
pected, on  his  return  to  Hanover.  I  am  unwilling  to  delay 
him ;  therefore  have  only  time  to  thank  you  for  your  two  let- 
ters, enclosing  extracts  from  letters,  which,  undoubtedly,  origi- 
nated in  abominable  falsehoods,  invented  by  the  enemies  of 
Dartmouth  College,  on  this  side  the  water ;  with  a  view  to  its 
ruin  :  but  happily  for  that  institution,  founded  upon  liberal 
charity;  upon  motives  of  universal  disinterested  piety,  it  can- 
not be  subverted,  but  by  a  desertion  of  its  own  fundamental 
principles,  which  worthily  embracing  the  highest  and  unlim- 
ited good  of  mankind,  will  finally  meet  ample  support.     The 


APPENDIX.  293 

conduct  of  our  maligners  is  entirely  disingenuous,  and  utterly- 
false.  To  Dissenters  we  are  represented  as  the  child  of  Episco- 
pacy ;  to  Episcopalians,  as  a  seminar}^  of  devoted  sectarians, 
combining  for  the  extermination  of  the  church  of  England. 
For  a  day  they  will  impede  and  distress.  Truth  will  not  long 
be  obscured  ;  its  radiance  will  discover  their  fraudful  practices, 
and  establish  those  friendships,  that  we  shall  find  able  and  dis- 
posed to  preserve  us.  Our  original  and  true  basis  is  universal 
charity.  Our  interest,  forever  to  avoid  any  discrimination,  but 
virtue  and  vice.  While  such  are  our  pursuits,  we  cannot  be  ra- 
dically injured ;  although  the  enemies  of  such  views  do  con- 
tinue, fas  aut  nefas,  to  oppose. 

The  St.  John's  Indians  are  not  yet  prevailed  upon  to  send 
any  youth  for  education.  They  have  promised  me  a  visit  this 
summer,  at  this  place,  upon  that  business ;  when  I  hope  to  en- 
gage them  therein.  In  the  mean  time,  my  officers  in  the  east- 
ern country  persevere  in  their  invitation. 

If  you  can  furnish  me  with  a  list  of  college  lands,  through 
their  mutations,  to  the  original  grantees,  I  will  take  care  that 
none  shall  be  escheated.     Without  such  information,  I  am  not 

able  to  do  any  thing.     It  is  said,  that  Mr.  L has  sold  to 

Colonel  Moulton,  a  right  in  Piermont,  that  he  subscribed  to 
the  college.  If  so,  I  am  apprehensive  you  will  meet  with  some 
difficulty  in  explaining  the  matter  to  the  public;  as  vou  have 
given  him  credit  for  the  donation  in  your  last  narrative. 

If  possible,  I  will  again  come  to  Hanover  to  commencement. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  enclose  you  a  patent  for  the  ferry,  of 
large  extent,  for  the  college ;  of  which  I  desire  their  acceptance. 

In  whatever  I  have  omitted  waiting  you,  you  will  attribute 
it  to  my  present  haste,  and  be  assured,  that  all  things  which  are 
useful  or  honorable  to  the  college,  or  to  yourself,  hold  a  very 
firm  place  in  my  mind. 

I  am,  with  perfect  esteem,  and  affectionate  regard. 
Dear  Sir,  your  faithful  friend, 

JOHN  WENT\VOIlTH. 


294i  APPENDIX. 

To  the  Hon.    William  Smith,  Esquire. 

Dartmouth  College,  Dec.  30,   1775. 
My  very  Dear  and  much  respected  Sir, 

Your  very  friendly,  judicious  and  improving  letter,  of  Aug. 
31st,  came  to  hand  some  weeks  ago,  and  was  peculiarly  agreea- 
ble and  satisfying  to  me.  I  have  taken  the  liberty  to  enclose 
the  original  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  and  the  rest  of  the  honorable 
Ti'ust ;  as  I  could  not  see  how  the  important  contents  could  be 
set  in  a  better  light,  in  so  few  words,  than  you  had  done  ;  nor 
any  hand,  which  could  command  greater  respect  than  yours. 
If  I  have  made  too  free  with  it,  without  your  leave,  I  ask  your 
pardon.  I  have  only  to  say,  in  excuse,  that  I  could  not  see 
how  the  cause  you  had,  so  justly  at  heart,  could  be  otherwise 
better  served ;  and  that  without  the  least  grounds  to  suspect 
any  disadvantage,  but  the  contrary  to  your  character  thereby. 

Governor  Wentworth,  among  other  monies  to  encourage  the 
settlement  of  this  school  here,  promised,  that  three  miles 
square,  or  the  equivalent,  adjoining  and  including  this  college, 
should  be  incorporated  into  a  district  parish  ;  and,  that  it  should 
be  endowed  with  such  immunities,  powers  and  privileges,  as 
might  be  most  subservient  to  the  health,  peace  and  well  being 
of  this  seminary,  which  yet  remains  to  be  done.  You  would, 
my  dear  Sir,  very  greatly  oblige  me,  if  you  would,  in  addition 
to  your  former  expressions  of  friendship  towards  this  institu- 
tion, favor  me  with  such  a  plan,  and  draft  of  incorporation,  as 
you  shall  think  most  beneficial  for  the  same,  and  safest  for  it  in 
bad  times.  Wh«eby  it  may  be  in  the  power  of  the  college, 
to  keep  out  bad  inhabitants;  prevent  licentiousness;  regulate 
taverns,  and  retailers  of  strong  liquor ;  prevent  the  corruption 
of  the  students,  by  evil  minded  persons ;  encourage  and  sup- 
port divine  ordinances,  &c.  &c.  Pray,  good  Sir,  be  so  kind  as 
tt>  make  this  matter  the  object  of  your  attention,  at  some  lei- 
sure hour,  and  transmit  your  ripest  thoughts  to  me,  as  soon  as 
may  be  ;  as  I  apprehend  a  delay  of  the  matter  is  not  safe  nor 


APPENDIX.  295 

prudent ;  and  we  do  not  yet  abound  with  men,  in  these  woods, 
^ho  are  most  skilful  in  matters  of  this  kind. 

I  had  proftered  petitions  to  his  Majesty,  near  a  year  ago,  to 
the  same  purpose,  as  you  prudently  and  kindly  advise  me  to 
do,  but  have  yet  had  no  return.  I  fear  that  letters  from  home 
have  miscarried. 

Please,  Sir,  pardon  my  thus  imposing  on  your  patience,  and 

be  assured,   that  I  am,  with  most  sincere  aftection,  and  high 

Esteem, 

Your  much  obliged. 

And  very  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  Honorable  Trust, 
Much  Honored  and  very  Dear  Sirs, 

I  herewith  enclose  the  first  letters  I  have  received  from 
Messrs.  M'Clure  and  Frisbie,  since  they  arrived  at  the  Indian 
country,  and  I  send  the  original ;  as  I  think  it  must  be  more 
satisfying  to  you,   than  any  abstract  I  can  make  of  them.     I 

hope  the  fortitude  which  Mr.  M has  shown,  will  have  like 

impression  upon  your  minds  as  it  had  upon  me. 

I  desired  a  friend  in  Portsmouth  to  serve  you  with  a  copy 
of  my  Narrative,  to  last  September,  in  an  appendix,  to  which 
I  give  some  short  account  of  the  success  of  Mr.  Ripley's  mis- 
sion to  Canada :  v^hich,  I  hope,  will  reach  you  in  due  time. 

I  think  the  affairs  of  this  School,  through  the  abundant  good- 
ness of  God,  appear  with  an  agreeable  aspect.  Hitherto  my 
Indian  boys  behave  as  orderly  and  well  as  can  reasonably  be 
expected  of  savages.     They  are  seventeen  in  number. 

Several  of  my  English  youths  are  preparing  for  their  respec- 
tive missions  in  the  spring,  if  God  shall  prepare  the  way  for 
them  :  some  to  the  Indians  on  or  near  the  bay  Funday ;  and 
others  to  visit  the  tribes  in  Canada.  I  shall  endeavor  to  advise 
you,  as  fully  as  I  can,  of  all  the  afliiirs,  as  fast  as  they  are 
ripened. 


iljft  APPENDIX. 

The  whole  number  of  my  students,  dependent  and  indepeii- , 
dent,  is  about  eighty.  And  they  continue  to  be  suf- 
ficiently studious,  and  quite  orderly.  But  the  growth  of  this 
School  is  now  stinted,  for  want  of  room  for  my  students.  My 
memorial  to  the  assembly  of  this  Province,  agreeable  to  what  I 
wrote  you,  Oct.  22d,  for  liberty  of  a  lottery,  to  enable  me  ta 
build  a  large  house,  is  now  upon  the  carpet,  and  I  have  not  J^et 
heard,  that  they  have  acted  any  thing  upon  it ;  but  I  under- 
stand it  is  likely  they  will  grant  liberty  for  it.  But  I  shall  not 
choose  to  take  a  step  further,  till  I  know  your  pleasure,  and 
have  your  approbation  of  my  procedure  therein. 

I  also  proposed,  and  submitted  to  your  advice,  whether  it 
would  not  be  prudent  and  expedient  to  bring  a  large  body  of 
these  lands  under  improvement,  as  soon  as  may  be,  for  the 
support  of  the  school.  1  hope  you  have  received  my  letter,  and 
that  I  shall  soon  receive  your  £^dvice  therein.  For  though  I 
am  fully  persuaded  myself  of  the  propriety  and  expediency  of 
it,  I  shall  not  dare  to  take  the  step,  without  your  advice,  fur- 
ther than  I  can  do  it,  at  the  expence  of  my  own  little  interest. 

I  have  cleared  above  200  acres  the  last  fall  and  this  winter, 
and  sowed  about  130  with  hay-seed,  besides  about  20  acres  I 
cleared  and  seeded  with  English  grain  and  hay-seed.  I  have 
already  felt  the  benefit  of  cultivating  these  lands  the  last  year. 
Notwithstanding  the  crops  in  these  parts  in  general,  and  mine 
in  particular,  were  much  cut  short.  The  English,  by  a  long, 
heavy,  and  unusual  rain  in  harvest,  and  the  Indian  corn  by  an 
unseasonable  frost. 

So  far  as  I  can  learn  of  late,  the  opposition  to  this  school,  is 
much  abated,  on  this  side  the  water ;  as  it  appears,  that  its  en- 
emies can  find  nothing  but  falsehoods  to  justify  them  in  it.  My 
hope  and  trust  is  in  God  alone,  who  has  and  will  perform  hi? 
pleasure,  for  it  and  by  it. 

If  God  should  graciously  preserve  these  youths,  who  are  fit- 
ting for  missions,  and  prepare  their  way  into  the  wilderness,  in 


APPENDEX.  297 

such  a  number,  and  succession  as  is  proposed,  there  will,  likely 
be  occasion  to  send  agents  again  to  Europe,  to  solicit  charita- 
ble contributions  for  their  support.     I  look  upon  your  patron- 
age to  be,  under  God,  of  the  greatest  importance. 
Please,  Honored  Sirs,  accept  a  renewed  tender  of. 
Right  honorable  and  worthy  Sirs, 

Your  greatly  obliged,  most  obedient  and 
Very  humble  servaht, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOC&. 
Hanover  22d  Feb.  1773. 


To  John  Thornton,  Esquire, 

Hanover,  Feb.  22,   1773. 
Honored  Sir, 

I  need  not  desire  you  to  use  the  enclosed  from  Mr.  D 


for  the  furtherance  of  the  Redeemer's  cause,  on  the  islands,  if 
you  have  an  opportunity  for  it. 

Mr.  Occum,  I  hear,  behaves  to  good  and  great  acceptance, 
among  good  people.  He  has  lately  printed  a  sermon,  preach- 
ed to  a  very  numerous  audience,  at  the  execution  of  an  Indian; 
one  of  which  I  would  send  you,  if  I  could  :  perhaps  he,  or  some 
other  friend,  may  have  served  you  with  one  of  them. 

I  think  my  aftairs  here  are  under  the  smiles  of  heaven,  and 
they  will  be  so,  if  we  keep  up  a  good  account  with  God. 

I  have  had  occasion  of  drawing  on  you  for  more  mo- 
ney, than  I  was  aware  beforehand,  I  should  have  occasion  for ; 
but  have  drawn  for  no  more  than  has  been  absolutely  necessa- 
ry, for  providing  stores  for  food,  apparel,  lodging,  instruction^ 
&c.  &c.  for  missioners  and  students,  English  and  Indian. 
The  enclosed  is  the  account  of  the  bills  I  have  drawn  since  Oc- 
irober  last. 

I  have  sent,  some  weeks  ago,  two  petitions  to  his  Majesty, 
through  the  hands  of  Lord  Dartmouth,  for  two  tracts  of  land  in 

38 


298  APPENDIK. 

the  .province  of  New  York,  free  of  quit  rent,  containing  25000 
acres  each.  The  one  for  the  use  of  the  school,  the  other  to 
be  applied  for  the  encouragement  of  missionaries,  and  support 
of  their  widows,  and  education  of  their  children,   &c. 

I  wish,  my  honored  Sir,  you  could  be  instrumental  to  get  all 
the  lands,  given  to  this  school,  and  the  officers  of  it,  discharged 
from  the  burden  of  quit  l^cnt,  and  from  the  obligation  on  other 
lands  to  settle  them  within  such  a  term,  on  penalty  of  for- 
feiture, i^     s    .. 

I  am,  with  much  duty  and  aflfection. 

Your  most  abedient  and  very  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  Right  Honorable  the  Earl  of  Dartmouth. 

Hanover,  April  5,   1775. 
May  it  please  your  Lordship, 

I  esteem  it  a  singular  favor  of  heaven,  that  I  may  apply  to 
your  Lordship,  and  especially  in  your  late  dignified  capacity, 
with  confidence,  that  I  shall  find  the  heart  of  a  father;  while' 
I  have  no  other  higher  motives,  than  the  furtherance  of  that 
cause.  Which,  I  am  confident,  lies  nearest  your  heart.  And,  I 
assure  you,  my  Lord,  it  is  only  your  well  known  character, 
your  past  condescentions,  the  nature  and  importance  of  the 
case,  together  with  the  consciousness,  the  singleness  and  up- 
rightness of  my  intentions,  that  have  inspired  a  boldness  in  my 
present  application  to  you,  and  which  are  all  I  have  to  rely 
upon  to  excuse  me,  without  any  other  apology  for  myself. 

In  my  letter  to  your  Lordship,  of  December  28th,  1772,  with 
an  address  of  a  number  of  my  pupils,  on  your  advancement  to 
the  American  adn)inistration,  I  als->  enclosed  two  petitions  to  his 
Majesty,  li)r  the  royal  favor,  of  two  patents  of  his  ungranted 
lands  in  this  country,  containing  25000  acres  each,  free  of  quit 
rents ;  the  one  for  the  use  of  this  school,  the  other  for  encou- 
ragement of  missionaries,  the  support  of  the  widows,  education 


APPENDIX.  ^99 

of  their  children,  &c.  And  prayed  that  the  royal  mandamus 
for  the  same,  might  be  given  to  the  governor  of  New  York, 
who,  I  then  understood,  to  have  the  right  of  granting  those 
lands,  on  the  west  side  of  this  (Connecticut)  river;  which  lands, 
were,  till  of  late,  supposed  to  belong  to  this  province,  and  are 
situated  nearer  to  this  school,  than  any  other  of  his  Majesty's 
ungranted  lands ;  on  which  I  designed  those  patents  should  be 
laid,  as  being  most  convenient  for  the  purpose  designed,  if  the 
favor  should  be  granted.  But  we  have  lately  been  advised,  by 
reports  from  several  quarters,  which  have  gained  such  credit 
as  to  occasion  great  joy  to  the  inhabitants,  that  his  Majesty 
has  given  orders  to  the  Governor  of  New  York,  to  ratify  all 
the  former  grants  of  those  lands,  made  by  the  late  Governor  of 
this  province,  and  of  course,  has  vacated  all  the  grants  made 
by  the  Governor  of  New  York  ;  which  has  raised  a  hope,  in 
all  who  had  not  a  prospect  of  personal  advantage  of  those  new 
patents,  that  this  step  is  an  omen  that  all  those  controverted 
lands  will  revert  to  this  province. 

And  this  is  that  which  has  given  me  occasion  to  give  your 
Lordship  this  trouble,  which  is  humbly  to  bespeak  your  Lord- 
ship^s  favor,  to  alter  those  petitions,  if  you  see  it  needful,  and 
it  be  not  too  late,  that  the  royal  mandamus  may  be  to  the  go* 
veraor  of  this  province,  or  to  either  of  them  as  your  Lordship 
shall  think  proper. 

I  would  also  beg  leave  to  suggest  to  your  Lordship,  the  pre- 
sent necessities  of  myself  and  family,  on  account  of  my  having 
no  visible  means  of  support,  adequate  to  my  necessary  ex- 
pense. God  has  graciously  provided  for  me  and  mine  hither- 
to, and  has  not  left  me  or  them  to  suffer  ;  nor  am  I  yet 
afraid  to  trust  him  to  provide  for  me,  while  I  have  a  heart 
to  serve  him,  and  he  has  any  thing  for  me  to  do  here.  Yet  it 
appears  to  be  duty,  to  let  my  case  be  known  to  friends  of  abi- 
lity, while  I  wait  upon  God  to  perform  the  desire  of  my  heart. 


SOO  APPENDIX. 

I  yet  live  in  the  little  store  house  I  erected  for  the  use  of  the 
school,  and  which  is  now  used  for  that  purpose,  on  which  ac- 
count my  family  is  much  straitened  for  room,  and  I  am  not  yet 
able  to  build  for  myself.  I  am  sensible,  that  pensions  have 
been  much  confined  to  a  party ;  yet  as  his  Majesty  has  been 
made,  in  some  measure,  sensible  of  the  great  utility  of  this  un- 
dertaking to  his  American  dominions,  and  has  been  graciously 
pleased,  repeatedly  to  testify  his  royal  approbation,  and,  espe- 
cially, as  the  hearts  of  all  are  yet  in  God*s  hands,  I  am  con- 
fident there  is  some  hope  of  relief  for  me,  by  a  proper  appli- 
cation to  him  for  it,  which  I  wholly  submit  to  your  Lordship'e 
wisdom. 

God  is  graciously  pleased  to  continue  his  loving  kindness  to 
this  school,  and  the  prospects  are  yet,  I  think,  increasing.  Some 
account  of  which,  I  have  given  the  Honorable  Trust,  which,  I 
suppose,  your  Lordship  will  see. 

And,  that  God  may  graciously  guide  you,  by  his  council,  in 
your  high  and  important  sphere  of  action,  and  make  you  emi- 
nently, and  very  extensively  useful  to  enlarge  and  build  up 
the  kingdom  of  his  dear  Son,  is  the  earnest  prayer  of  him,  who 
begs  leave,  with  sincerest  duty,  affection  and  esteem,  to  sub- 
scribe himself. 

Your  Lordship's  most  obedient  and 
Most  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 
Earl  of  Dartmouth, 


To  Mr.  Samuel  Savage,  London. 

Hanover,  July  16,   1773. 
My  very  Dear  Sir, 

Your  brotherly  letter  of  Feb.  20th,  came  to  hand  May  19th, 
on  my  arrival  at  Portsmouth,  and  was  very  refreshing  to  me. 
I  have  now  snatched  a  minute  to  write  to  you ;  but  am  at  a 
loss  what  to  write  ;  not  for  the  want  of  matter^  but  beca^jsc  I 


APPENDIX.  30  i 

have  so  much.  But,  it  is  now,  my  dear  Sir,  but  a  little  while^ 
and,  I  hope,  we  shall  meet,  wliere  we  shall  no  more  need  the 
slow  and  imperfect  manner  and  means,  which  we  are  now  ob- 
liged tt)  use,  to  interchange  a  little  of  our  hearts ;  and  have 
pain,  that  we  neither  give  nor  receive  more  in  our  correspon- 
dence. There  we  shall  do  it  without  interruption,  as  fully, 
freely,  clearly,  and  swiftly,  as  thirst  of  soul  and  mutual  love 
<?an  dictate.  And  is  this,  my  dear  Sir,  our  hope  throuc^h 
^race?  Well  then,  let  me  be  content  to  suspend  the  pleasure 
of  such  an  interview  with  you,  as  I  long  for,  to  that  happy  peri- 
od, when  we  may  begin,  and  go  through  the  whole  detail  of 
our  journey  through  this  thorny  maze,  and  relate  all  the  ways 
which  the  Lord  our  God  has  led  us.  In  every  passage  of 
which,  the  glory  of  our  great  Redeemer  will  appear  in  its  me- 
ridian lustre.  This  will  be  the  book  written  not  with  ink  ; 
this  the  glorious  medium  of  acquaintance  with  him,  when  he 
shall  come  to  be  glorified  in  his  saints.  Herein,  especially, 
will  shine  forth  that  glory  which  shall  be  the  object  of  our  at- 
tention and  admiration,  and  matter  of  our  praise  forever,  John 
I7thj  xxiv. 

I  thank  you  and  Mr.  Keen  for  the  friendship  you  have  shown 

to  Mr.  B .     You  appear  to  have  done  the  most  faithful  and 

friendly  part  in  his  case.  Through  want  of  health  he  is  obliged 
to  quit  his  studies,  and,  I  fear,  will  never  be  able  to  pursue 
them  further.     He  is  gone  home  to  his  father's. 

The  church  in  this  college  and  school  consists  of  about  70 
members,  and  near  50  of  them  are  members  of  the  college  and 
school.  This  I  thought  necessary  to  mention  to  you,  not 
knowing  but  there  may  be  some  of  your  acquaintance^  who 
may  have  both  ability  and  will,  to  contribute  some  decent  fur- 
niture for  the  tabic  of  the  Lord,  as  we  have,  as  yet,  none  but 
the  common  utensils  of  m}''  family. 

You  complain  of  failure  of  memory  ;  I  find  it  so  with  myself 
to  a  c^reat  d?^^rcf ;  thouj^h  I  am  nor  <o  old   ■^'i  vo-i    hy,   ?-om'e 


302  APPENmx, 

years.  I  was  62  last  May  ;  but  I  do  not  impute  this  failure 
wholly  to  my  age,  but  in  some  measure  to  a  continual  crowd  of 
affairs. 

I  pray  God  to  spare  your  valuable  life  for  many  years  to 
come,  and  that  the  end  of  your  usefulness  may  not  have  an 
early  date. 

I  trust  you  will  not  cease  to  pray  for  me,  and  this  deat 
cause  which  lies  so  near  to  your  heart. 

I  fmd  God  is  certainly  a  prayer  hearing  God,  and  I  can  bear 
witness  to  the  truth  of  that  precious  word  of  Christ,  "  Ye  shall 
ask  what  ye  will  in  my  name,  and  it  shall  be  done."  And  I 
find  (and  especially  when  discouraged,  and  under  rebukes  of 
Providence)  occasion  to  reflect  with  shame,  and  wonder  at  my- 
self, that  there  is  yet  in  me  so  much  inadvertency,  disinclina- 
tion,  and  neglect  to  ask  fervently.  God  says,  open  your  moutli 
wide,  and  I  will  fill  it.  And  I  find  it  to  be  so,  and  give  in  to 
it.  I  think  with  my  whole  heart,  that  I  am  not  straitened  in 
him.  Yet,  after  all,  how  soon  I  am  straitened  in  my  own  bo* 
som.  And  this  my  dear  Sir,  is  the  faulty  cause  of  all  my  great 
leanness. 

Please  to  accept  most  cordial  affection  from. 
My  dear  and  Honored  Sir, 

Yours,  in  the  dearest  bonds, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 

Mr.  Samuel  Savage. 


Fro7n  the  Hon.  William  Smith,  Esquire. 

New-York,  August  31,  1773. 
:My  Dear  Sir, 

I  congratulate  you,  most  sincerely,  upon  the  prosperity  of 
ihe  College  under  your  care,  concerning  which,  I  have  had 
favorable  accounts  from  various  hands,  and  some  who  attended 
your  last  commencement,  of  which  they  spoke  with  much 
pleasure. 


APPENDIX.  303 

Its  friends  here  are  of  two  sorts  ;  such  as  wish  well  to  it, 
from  motives  which  induced  you  to  erect  it,  and  such  as  are 
willing  to  promote  it,  from  its  tendency  to  increase  the  value 
of  the  new  patented  lands  on  the  west  side  of  Connecticut 
river  in  that  vicinity.  But  nothing  can  be  raised  for  it  in  a 
way  of  subscription,  unless  a  proper  person  is  sent,  to  go  about 
from  house  to  house  for  collection.  And  this  step  I  recommend 
to  your  consideration,  with  good  hopes  that  it  will  answer  your^ 
expectations.  I  think  the  gentleman  you  appoint  for  the  ser-  ^ 
vice  should  be  a  clergyman  of  popular  talents,  who  will  be' 
able  to  publish  his  errand  from  our  pulpits,  and  procure  col- 
lections from  our  own  episcopal  congregations,  within  the 
northeastern  parts  of  our  synod.  That  he  may  succeed  among 
the  Episcopalians,  I  think  it  will  be  necessary,  that  he  bring 
letters  from  as  many  friends  as  you  have  in  trade  in  Boston 
and  New  Hampshire,  to  our  merchants;  and  some  public 
recommendation  from  your  governor  and  council,  &c.  &c. 
Letters  of  introduction  from  Mr.  Wentworth,  to  Mr.  Tryon, 
urging  our  attention  to  your  undertaking,  by  all  the  principles 
of  general  benevolence  and  policy,  by  which  he  conceives  we 
may  be  animated,  either  as  christians,  friends  to  humanity  and 
science,  or  friends  to  o'lr  own  interest  in  the  growth  of  the 
notherly  parts  of  this  province. 

I  hope  you  have  not  omitted  the  present  favorable  opportu- 
nity which  my  lord  Dartmouth's  power*  gives  you,  for  the 
procuring  an  order  for  the  grants  of  some  valuable  tract  of 
land,  with  some  inconsiderable  reservation,  or  a  suspension  of 
the  quit  rents,  for  a  long  series  of  time.  Bodies  that  live  for- 
ever (as  it  is  termed)  should  not  slight  these  boons,  which  may 
one  day,  be  necessary'  to  their  existence.  The  crown  has  grant- 
ed a  township  to  our  New  York  College,  another  to  Trinity 
church,  and  a  third  to  the  Dutch  Calvanists,  and  lately  absolved 
them  from  the  payment  of  quit  rents;  so  that  you  have  prece- 
dent in  your  favor. 

*  Then  Secretary  of  State. 


504  APPiuviJix: 

I  iiavc  taken  souie  pains  to  convince  my  touiitiynien,  tijnt 
the  insiitution  inider  your  diicction  will  be  of  eminent  service 
to  the  public,  as  \tcll  as  beneficial  to  all  that  have  estate  in 
the  new  counties  of  Cumberland,  Ciiarlotte  and  Gloucester. 
And  shall  ever  be  ready  in  my  small  sphere  to  give  success  to 
any  measures  concerted  for  its  lasting  and  most  extensive  uti- 
lity. But  I  must,  at  the  same  time,  declare,  that  until  the  na- 
tion shall  undertake  the  work  of  civilizing  the  Indians,  very 
little  will  be  done,  in  my  opinion,  towards  christianizing  them. 
Unless  more  care  is  taken  to  estabhsh  a  standing  ministry  on 
♦he  edges  of  the  interior  frontier,  among  our  own  people,  v^ho, 
as  they  want  the  ordinary  dispensation  of  the  word,  sink  into 
barbarism,  and  become  not  only  the  corrupters,  but  the  stum- 
bling block  of  the  savages.  The  interval  between  the  Indians 
and  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel  has  always  been  too  great. 
And  the  most  effectual  way  of  bringing  them  nearer  together 
would  be  by  enabling  the  proprietors  of  large  tracts  upon  the 
frontiers,  to  give  and  secure  parsonages,  and  glebes  to  the  new 
f'cttlcments  of  every  protestant  denomination.  And  there  wants 
an  instruction  to  the  governors,  enabling,  and  commanding 
them  to  give  charters  for  the  holding  of  lands  to  pious  uses. 
Every  other  way  of  carrying  the  gospel  standard  into  the  wil- 
derness will  be  too  expensive  a  tax  upon  private  charity.  And 
if  your  ideas  concur  with  mine  upon  this  subject,  I  wish  you 
would  dilate  the  hint,  and  recommend  it  to  Lord  Dartmouth, 
who  will,  doubtless,  rejoice  in  an  opportunity  of  exerting  him- 
self in  favor  of  a  step,  which,  by  humoring  the  avarice  of  land- 
holders, will  be  advancive,  not  only  of  the  interests  of  Chris- 
tianity -y  but  the  temporal  weal  of  those  plantations.  When 
ministers  are  supported  near  the  Indians,  all  along  the  conti- 
nent, they  may  tnake  excursions  among  them  with  care,  and 
greatly  relieve  the  burden  that  now  lies  upon  our  charity,  and 
which  is  really  too  great  for  our  abilities. 

I  am,  Sir,  with  great  respect. 

Your  most  obedient  servant, 

WILLIAM  SMITH 


APPENDIX.  305 

To  tkcHonorable  Trust,  in  England. 

Dartmouth  College,  Nov.  10,   177  3. 
My  very  Dear  and  much  honored  Patrons, 

The  continual  crowd  of  my  affairs  has  necessitated  me  to 
neglect  writing  you  much  longer  than  otherwise  I  would.  I 
have  upwards  of  an  hundred  in  family,  and  yet  unable  to  provide 
such  a  steward,  or  overseer  of  my  affairs,  as  on  trial  appears  to 
be  so  skilful,  careful,  faithful  and  disinterested  in  his  views,  as> 
I  find  one  must  be,  in  order  to  inspire  such  entire  confidence, 
as  is  necesssary  to  disburden  me  of  the  care  of  them.  I  am 
sometimes  almost  overwhelmed  with  the  multiplicity,  variety 
and  weight  of  them ;  but  God  has  been  my  helper  hitherto. 
My  friends  are  often  repeating  to  me  the  prudent  counsel  of 
Jethro,  to  Moses  ;  and  glad  should  I  be  to  take  it,  if  I  coukl ; 
but  the  affair  is  very  delicate,  and  my  situation,  so  far  in  the 
wilderness,  adds  much  to  the  difficulty  of  it. 

I  have  sent  to  the  press  in  Connecticut,  a  continuation  of  my 
narrative  for  the  last  year ;  to  which  I  added  an  abstract  of  the 

unsuccessful  mission  of  Messrs.  M and  F ,  and  desired 

a  friend  to  serve  you  with  a  copy  of  it  as  soon  as  it  is  out ;  ami 
I  hope  it  will  not  be  long  after  this. 

I  am  sorry  that  the  account  ff  my  expense  for  stores,  in  my 
narrative,  and  also  in  that  which  was  transmitted  to  you,  stands 
just  as  it  does,  without  explanation  ;  as  it  appears  to  be  swell- 
ed to  a  great  disproportion  with  other  parts  of  the  account ;  and 
perhaps  may  occasion  some  to  wonder^t  it.  The  reason  of 
which  is  this ;  when  I  procured  stores  for  the  school,  I  bought, 
as  w^as  necessary,  by  the  quantity ;  and  it  was  convenient,  and 
advantageous  to  the  school,  often  to  pay  laborers  out  of  those 
stores  ;  which  was  not  mentioned  in  the  account;  but  only  the 
cash  that  was  paid  out.  If  you  shall  think  lit  to  publish  it, 
please  to  add  such  a  note  upon  it,  if  you  shall  think  it  to  be 
necessary. 

It  so  happens,  that  the  store  house,  brew  and  bake  house, 

39 


306  APVE^itiK. 

and  also  the  mills  which  1  have  built,  stand  upon  my  own  land. 
The  mills,  I  supposed  to  have  been  on  the  school's  land,  till  a 
surveyor  lately  run  the  lines,  and  finds  them  to  be  upon  mine. 
All  which  I  would  secure  to  the  college  and  school,  in  a  man- 
ner Which  shall  be  safest  to  the  institution,  and  most  effectually 
secure  it  from  perversion  in  future   times.     And  though  there 
never  has,  as  yet,  a  word  passed  upon  it,  at  our  board,  I  am 
well  assured,  that  the  trustees  here  would  pay  the  highest  res- 
pect to,  and  be  fully  satisfied  with   any  method  you  shall  di- 
rect to,  as  proper  for  the   conveyance  of  it.      And  as  these 
buildings  were  at  the  expence,  and    are  the  property  of  the 
school,  and  not  at  the  disposal  of  the  trustees  of  the  College  ; 
and   as  there  is   yet  no  provision  made  nor  like  to  be  made, 
that  I  know  of,  for  the  support  of  the  College,  or  any  profes- 
sors or  officers  in  it,  other  than  that  which  independent  students 
make,  by  paying  for  their  education  here;  and  as  the  first  ob- 
ject of  both  is  the  same,  and  as  the  resource  from  whence  both 
expect  support,  is  also  the  same,  viz.  the  charity  of  pious  peo- 
ple abroad  ;  and  the  instruments,  by  which  this  is  hoped  to  be 
etlected,  the  same ;  I  should   be  glad  it  might   be  as  closely 
connected  with  3^ou,  and  as  much  under  your  control,  as  may 
be  reasonable  ;  so  long  as  you  shall  perpietuate  your  board,  by 
a  succession  of  gentlemen  endowed  with  the  same   spirit  with 
yourselves.     And,  I    make  no   doubt,  the  trustees   here  will 
heartily  concur  with  it. 

If  you  shall  think,  my  dear  and  honored  patrons,  that  I  mis- 
take not,  in  my  apprehensions  of  the  importance  of  i-hese  things, 
you  will  esteem  them  worthy  your  attention,  and  will,  likely, 
esteem  the  present  the  most  favorable  opportunity  to  effect 
what  is  proposed  ;  while  there  is  the  most  entire  agreement 
and  harmony  between  the  trustees  here,  and  your  Hon.  board. 
And  I  trust  will  also  judge  it  to  be  not  safe  or  prudent  to  neg- 
lect it.  End  if,  in  your  wisdom,  you  shall  see  fit  (in  addition 
to  the  numberless  expressions  of  your  parental  care  for  this 
seminary,  which  God  has,  and  does  still  graciously  own)  to  ad- 


APPENDIX  3.07. 

vise  me  of  the  manner  how  to  secure  these  lands  and  buildings 
to  the  School,  and  whether  to  do  it  by  my  will,  or  by  some 
other  instrument  of  conveyance,  and  will  please  to  send  me 
your  plan  of  the  same,  and  also  your  plan  of  a,  charter  for  a 
parish  here,  and  will  please  to  send  it,  or  whatever  you  shall 
think  fit,  before  the  session  of  our  general  assembly  next  spring, 
I  shall  esteem  it  a  great  favor.  I  long  to  see  it  well  effected. 
I  am  admonished,  that  the  shadows  of  the  evening  are  stretch- 
ing over  me,  and  I  feel  like  one  who  has  a  great  part  of  his 
day's  work  to  do,  and  am  desirous,  if  God  pleases,  to  see  it  done 
b,efore  I  go  to  rest. 

I  herewith  enclose  a  copy  of  the  doings  of  the  trustees,  at 
their  meeting  here  last  August.  A  copy  of  their  doings  last 
May  at  Portsmouth,  I  sent  you  some  months  ago. 

I  also  enclose  a  letter  I  lately  received  from  my  worthy 
friend,  the  Hon.  William  Smith,  Esq.  of  New- York,  whose 
public  character  has  doubtless  reached  your  side  the  water,  and 
may  command  respect  to  his  thoughts  on  the  affair  ef  christian- 
izing the  Indians  ;  which,  I  cannot  but  esteem,  to  be  very  just 
and  weighty.  I  send  it  without  his  knowledge  or  licence  ;  in 
confidence,  that  only  good  will  accrue  thereby.  I  wish  my 
Lord  Dartmouth  may  be  honored  of  God  to  be  instrumental  to 
effect  so  necessary  a  step  as  is  there  proposed. 

I  also  herewith  enclose  a  Hebrew  Grammar,  compiled  by 
one  of  my  pupils,*  at  his  leisure  hours.  The  young  man,  as 
you  may  see  by  the  votes  of  our  board,  was  admitted  to  the 
degree  of  Bachelor  of  Arts  last  commencement.  This  perform- 
ance has  been  critically  examined  by  Mr.  Sewell,  professor  of 
the  Oriental  Languages  at  Cambridge,  and  is  now  submitted  to 
your  censures.  And  if  you  shall  think  it  worthy  to  be  printed 
for  the  benefit  of  this  School,  please  to  encourage  and  for- 
ward it. 
^  I  have  sent  for  91) architect  for  a  plan  of  the  College  which 

*  ^hn  Smith.- 


308  APPENDIX. 

is  proposed  to  be  erected,  and,  as  soon  as  I  shall  have  it  in  my 
power,  I  shall  forward  it  to  you. 

I  have  received  nothing  from  you,  since  your  very  endearing 
favor  of  February  14th,  nor  from  any  of  the  Honorable  Trust, 
since  those  which  came  with  that ;  and,  I  fear,  the  reason  is^ 
that  they  have  fallen  into  careless  or  unfriendly  hands. 

I  want  much  to  hear  whether  my  petitions,  last  winter,  t» 
his  Majesty,  reached  Lord  Dartmouth's  hands,  and  whether 
there  is  any  prospect  of  success  in  my  suit  for  the  grant  of  lands 
for  this  College,  and  for  t^p  encouragement  of  missionaries. 

Through  the  pure  mercy  of  God,  my  students  continue  steady 
in  their  business,  and  sober  minded,  notwithstanding  the  con-? 
tinual  cro^'d  and  bustle  of  my  affairs,  which  are  unavoidable. 
And  we  are  yet  favored  with  evident  tokens  of  God*s  gracious 
presence  :  and,  I  think,  my  affairs  in  general,  wear  a  very  en- 
couraging aspect.  And  I  desire  to  wait  upon  God,  who  per- 
formeth  all  things  for  me. 

I  ask  your   pardon,  if  I  have  tired  your  patience  with  the 
tedious  length  of  this  letter.     I  need  not  repeat  the  desire  of 
your  prayers  for  me.     I  trust  I  daily  feel  the  benefit  of  them. 
I  shall  only  add,  that  I  am  with  great  affection  and  esteem. 
Right  Honorable,  Honorabte,  and  very  dear  Sirs, 

Your  most  obedient  and  very  humble  servant, 
ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  Rev.  Mr.  Occum. 
Dartmouth  College,  February  6,  1774. 
My  Dear  Mr.  Occum, 

I  lately  received  a  refreshing  letter  from  you,  which  con- 
tained some  articles  of  intelligence  which  were  truly  reviving 
and  animating  to  me,  after  a  long  scene  of  sorrows,  trials,  dis- 
appointments, labors  and  fatigues  in  my  Indian  affairs. 

The  prospect  you  give  me  of  a  foundation  being  laid,  for 
much  good  to  the  savages  of  the  wilderness,  is  the  very  one  I 
have  been  long  waiting  and  hoping  for. 


APPENDK.  30$ 

And  is  Joseph  Johnson  become  a  servant  and  preacher  of 
Christ  Jesus  ?  The  Lord  mercifully  endow  him,  and  your 
brother  Jacob,  and  David  too,  with  a  double  portion  of  the 
spirit  of  Elias ;  and  make  them  strong  and  steadfast  in  the 
Redeemer's  cause ;  I  long  much  to  see  them  ;  I  have  been 
waiting  and  expecting  your  coming  till  my  eyes  fail  :  I  can 
not  but  think  it  might  serve  some  good  purposes,  if  you  should 
take  a  journey  hither,  and  get  some  ideas  of  my  plans  and 
prospects.  You  may  preach  your  way  quite  here,  and,  I  be- 
lieve, be  kindly  received  all  along,  and  have  opportuTiity  to  do 
much  good ;  and  I  can  assure  you,  you  will  be  very  kindly 
received  here  by  the  English,  and  make  no  doubt  by  the  In- 
dians. But  if  you  should  not  think  it  to  be  expedient  to  come 
yourself,  1  wish  j^ou  would  encourage  the  coming  of  Joseph 
and  Jacob. 

I  have  just  got  to  the  end  of  my  journey,  and  feel  in  haste 
to  set  my  affairs  in  order  to  leave  them,  and  go  to  rest.  1  wish 
you,  and  those  young  men,  may  be  instruments  to  do  much 
for  the  Redeemer,  when  I  am  no  more. 

Accept  my  love  to  you  and  Mrs.  Occum,  and  all  j'ours  : 
I  am  Yours  very  cordially, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


From  His  Excellency  Governor  JVeniivorth. 

Portsmouth,  February  19,  177  k 
My  Dear  Sir, 

Last  night  I  received  your  favor  of  the  14th  inst.  by  Mr. 

g ,  and  note  the  contents. 

Upon  receipt  of  your  letter^  24<th  January,  I  lost  no  time  in 
enquiring  into  the  reasons  for  conveying  means  of  vice  and  dis- 
order among  the  Indian  and  other  indiscreet  youth  at  the  Col- 
lege ;  which  is  no  less  against  my  desire  and  positive  resolution 
than  it  must,  doubtless,  be  against  yours. 


31Q  APPENDIX^ 

I  rejoice  to  find,  that  the  justices  I  have  seen,  are  truly  ze«I- 
ous  to  protect  the  College  from  every  attempt  or  danger  of 
vitiation  ;  and  will  resolutely  exert  their  legal  authority  to  that 
end.  And  I  am  more  particularly  happy,  that  this  temporary 
inconvenience  has  excited  the  resentment  of  those  that  were 
misled  into  voting  for  it.  Such  accidents  we  shall,  or  may  ex- 
pect to  meet  with,  from  the  unworthy  stimulations  of  avarice. 
But  while  I  am  in  authority,  such  schemes  shall  wither  and 
die,  as  soon  as  you  can  communicate  them  tome;  which,  I 
ever  hope  to  receive  from  you,  with  that  warmth  and  earnest- 
ness, that  must  and  ought  to  flow  from  the  bosom  of  a  parent, 
tenderly  watching  over  the  most  important  interests  of  a  child, 
that  promises  fair  to  be  a  glory  and  blessing  to  many  genera* 
tiions. 

I  am,  with  unfeigned  regard  and  much  affection. 
My  Dear  and  Rev.  Sir, 
Your  real  friend, 

JOHN  WENTWORTH. 


From  John  Thornton,  Esquire. 

Clapham,  July  22,  n?*. 
Dear  and  Rer.  Sir, 

I  find  myself  indebted  to  you  for  your  favors  of  1 8th 
December,  ^th  of  March,  and  14th  April,  and  the  drafts  passed 
on  me  for  your  account,  and  the  trusts  are  all  taken  care  of. 
And  herewith  I  transmit  you  the  particulars  of  the  bills  that 
have  appeared.  About  £4^60  remains,  which  you  may  draw 
for,  as  the  Indian  schools  may  require  it.  And  then,  I  believe, 
we  shall  all  on  this  side  the  water,  be  glad  to  testify  we  fulfill- 
ed faithfully  what  was  committed  to  us  ;  and  account  ourselves 
discharged  from  having  any  direction  in  future  transactions ; 
truly  thankful,  th.at  through  your  great  watchfulness,  care,  and 
unwearied  attention  to  the  schools,  all  has  wound  up  so  well. 
I  flatter  myself,  that  though  as  a  body  we  shall  be  annihila- 


I 


APPENDIX.  3  1 1 

t&d,  as  private  persons  our  regard  to  the  schools,  will  be  no 
way  diminished  :  and,  I  hope,  ever  to  convince  you  thereof 
in  my  particular. 

We  have  had  morality  so  long  held  forth  in  our  pulpits, 
that  it  is  pretty  nearly  banished  ;  and  there  is  such  a  general 
lethargy  ofsoal  among  the  dissenters,  as  is  truly  piteous.  They 
seem  in  more  danger  from  a  head  knowledge  of  divine  truths, 
than  any  others ;  as  they  are  apt  to  rest  in  it.  It  may  seem 
strange;  but  I  find  even  orthodox  opinions  delivered  in  a  cold 
and  formal  way,  without  application,  seem  to  have  a  tendency 
to  lull  the  hearers  asleep,  and  leave  them  short  of  an  experi- 
mental feeling  of  the  povver  of  godliness.  However,  among 
this  general  degeneracy,  our  Emanuel  does  not  leave  himself 
without  some  blessed  witnesses,  that  stand  up  for  the  truth  as 
it  is  in  Jesus;  and  that  seems  increasing  more  particularly 
in  the  establishment,  where  many  young  men  have  come  out 
lately.  The  most  striking  I  have  an  account  of  among  the 
dissenters  is  at  Chester ;  as  the  following  extract  from  a  letter 
I  received  will  evidence. 

"  And  now,  sir,  as  I  know  you  love  to  hear  of  the  prosper- 
ity of  Zion,  I  will  inform  you  of  the  beginning  of  an  interest 
of  Christ  in  this  city,  which  has  never  been  established  before, 
since  Mr.  Matthew  Henry's  time.  It  began  with  three,  meet- 
ing together  for  prayer,  and  to  consult  about  using  means  to 
bring  the  gospel  among  us.  We  were  soon  joined  by  six  oth- 
ers. After  that  we  applied  to  a  gospel  minister,  at  some  dis- 
tance from  us,  to  come  and  preach  among  us,  two  Lord's  davs 
in  a  month ;  which  he  continued  to  do  for  some  months,  and 
the  place  began  to  be  too  small  to  contain  the  people,  when 
the  kind  providence  of  God  opened  for  our  relief.  A  very  con- 
venient place  offered,  that  would  contain  near  four  hundred  ; 
we  took  it  and  fitted  it  up  directly.  Mr.  Scott  and  many  otlier 
ministers  came  to  supply  us  ;  so  that  we  were  seldom  vacant ; 
but  thought  it  our  duty  to  look  out  for  a  pastor.  When  the 
Lord,  in  his  abundant  goodness,  was  pleased  to  direct  us  to  our 


%a 


3  IS  APPENDK. 

present  pastor  Mr.  A ;,   a  spiritual  child   of  the  Rev.  Mr. 

V fa  clergyman  who  was  formerly  curate  here  at  Clap- 
ham)  who  is  well  known  to  him,  and  he  is  a  lively,  faithful 
preacher  of  the  gospel.  We  formed  into  an  independent 
church,  being  only  nine  in  number.  Our  pastor  settled  with 
us,  November,  1772,  and  through  the  Lord^s  blessing  the  word 
to  the  conversion  of  souls,  we  are  now  48  members  ;  many 
of  which  were  niost  notorious  for  outward  sins.  Surely  we 
have  reason  to  say  the  Lord  has  done  great  things  for  us,  and 
desire  to  give  him  all  the  glory.  I  trust  he  is  still  going  on 
with  the  work ;  as  many  souls  are  under  concern.  Our  meet- 
ing house  is  often  much  too  small  to  contain  the  people,  and 
many  go  away  for  want  of  room  to  stand  or  sit.  We  are  wait- 
in""  for  the  opening  of  Providence  to  build  us  a  meeting  house. 
We  have  but  one  or  two  persons  of  much  substance  among  us. 
I  beg  you  would  remember  us  at  the  throne  of  grace. 

I  was  glad  to  hear  of  your  success  in  settling  the  Rev.  Eden 
Burroughs,  at  Hanover,  where,  I  hope  he  will  be  of  abiding 
comfort  to  you. 

Your  narrative  was  duly  received,  and  we  shall  hope  for  a 
continuation  thereof.  His  Excellency  Gov.  Wentworth's  coun- 
tenance and  protection  is  a  great  blessing.  You  must  expect 
opposition  ;  but  when  we  are  satisfied,  that  they,  who  make  it, 
are  tetherod,  and  all  works  for  good,  as  coming  in  covenant 
mercy,  from  a  reconciled  God  in  Christ,  we  have  nothing  to 
fear.  For  our  bitterest  enemies  are  often  our  best  friends,  by 
keeping  us  upon  our  guard,  and  teaching  us  watchfulness.  A 
blessin^'-  is  held  out  to  us,  even  when  we  are  persecuted,  and 
the  fault  is  in  ourselves,  not  in  them.  If  we  put  it  from  us,  we 
are  too  apt  to  take  our  matters  out  of  God's  hands,  and  to  be 
following  our  own  wisdom  ;  and  thereby  it  is,  we  get  ensnared. 
I  am  sure  I  have  brought  myself  into  difficulties  thereby  ;  and 
I  find  myself  a  mere  novice  in  the  school  of  Christ.  The  Lord 
forms  his  veterans  by  bringing  their  graces  into  exercise  ;  and 
the  diflerence  among  believers  may  be  appointed  for  wise  end>^ ; 


APPENDIX.  3 1  3 

that  we  may  testify  love,  forbearance  ;  and,  that  the  law  of 
kindness  is  written  on  our  hearts ;  and,  that  we  are  ever  ready 
to  believe  good  and  not  evil,  of  one  another.  It  is  a  sad  thing 
indeed  to  profess,  and  not  possess  the  graces  of  the  gospel,  in  a 
measure  as  is  too  common  among  us.  All  such  boisterous  noisy 
professors  call  aloud  for  our  pity,  and  not  for  our  resentment. 
They  are  much  more  their  own  enemies,  than  they  ever  can 
be  ours.  If  interest  is  the  principal  thing  that  sways  us;  that 
surely,  cannot  be  so  certainly  promoted,  as  by  procuring  the 
favor  of  God,  and  avoiding  his  displeasure.  If  we  are  govern- 
ed by  our  fears.  He  is  the  most  formidable  being  in  the  uni- 
verse, to  a  mind  that  has  perverted  its  faculties,  and  transgres- 
sed the  laws  of  its  nature.  If  by  hope,  He  is  the  supreme  good. 
If  by  love.  He  is  the  most  amiable  and  perfect  excellence.  If 
by  gratitude.  He  is  the  Author  of  all  our  happiness.  Let  us 
endeavor  to  see  the  hand  of  God  in  all ;  and  if  what  comes 
from  him,  leads  us  back  unto  him,  all  must  be  well  with  us, 
let  what  will  happen.  The  prophets,  who  have  spoken  in  the 
name  of  the  Lord,  are  striking  examples  to  us  of  suffering  af- 
fliction and  patience.  Let  us  tread  in  their  steps,  and  remem- 
ber the  captain  of  our  salvation,  was  made  perfect  through 
sufferings.  May  the  blessed  Jesus  keep  us  simple  hearted, 
ceasing  from  man,  with  an  eye  ever  fixed  on  him.  The  Lord 
our  God  is  merciful,  gracious,  long  suffering,  abundant  in  good- 
ness and  truth.  He  knows  well  how  to  defend  his  own  cause. 
If  we  will  trust  it  with  him,  he  sends  his  angel  before  us  to 
keep  us  in  the  right  way,  and  to  bring  us  to  the  place  he  has 
prepared.  If  we  beware  of  him  and  obey  his  voice,  we  know^ 
then  he  will  contend  for  us,  and  be  an  enemy  against  our  en- 
emies, and  an  adversary  against  our  adversaries. 

I  was  glad  to  hear  you  had  a  comfortable  habitation  for  your 
family  ;  and  I  can  only  repeat  to  you,  that  I  shall,  with  great 
cheerfulness,  assist  you  with  what  your  occasions  may  require  : 

40 


S14  APPENDk. 

and,  therefore,  if  you  distress  yourself  unnecessarily  on  that  ac- 
count, I  can  only  wish  it  had  been  otherwise. 

I  am  glad  the  French  bibles  and  testaments  are  acceptable, 
and  came  safe.  I  shall  be  ready  to  furnish  you  with  any 
book,  that  you  think  will  be  useful. 

My  present  engagements  and  correspondence  is  so  very  ex- 
tensive, both  at  home  and  abroad,  that  I  know  not  how  to 
commence  any  new  ones,  without  dropping  some  ;  and  they 
are  more  than  sufficient  to  keep  me  fully  employed  ;  that  I  must 
request  in  future,  you  would  recommend  none  to  me.  But  I 
shall  always  be  glad  to  hear  from  you  any  striking  account  of 
the  success  of  the  gospel  ;  and  I  shall  be  ready  to  communicate, 
when  I  can  find  leisure,  whatever  I  judge  to  be  pleasing  and 
profitable.  And  as  such,  I  send  you  a  speech  of  a  Tuscarora 
M^oman,  transmitted  to  me  lately,  by  dear  Mr.  Kirkland,  who 
is,  I  think,  much  owned  and  blessed  ;  and  I  know  of  no  such 
other  missionary  any  where  in  our  day. 

I  dare  appeal  to  God,  that  my  sole  desire  is  to  have  a  single 
eye  to  his  honor  and  glory,  and  to  know  no  one  after  the  flesh  ; 
be  it  father  or  mother,  or  ever  so  dear  a  friend. 

I  find,  that  notwithstanding  all  human  endeavors,  divine 
teaching  is  absolutely  necessary  to  give  an  interest  in  divine 
truths,  and  to  bring  them  home  with  power  to  the  soul. 

The  present  society  for  propagating  the  gospel,  would  never 
sufter  such  a  society  to  be  formed  for  America.  In  compliance 
with  your  desire,  1  have  enclosed  a  letter  to  your  students  : 
which,  you  are  at  full  liberty  to  communicate,  or  suppress,  as 
you  deem  advisable. 

The  cursed  maxim,  adopted  by  government,  that  there  is  a 
necessity  for  bribery  and  corruption,  has  nearly  ruined  us ;  and 
if  persevered  in,  must  necessarily  soon  complete  it.  Men  of 
influence  are  so  violent  to  render  themselves  conspicuous,  that 
it  is  past  all  bearing  ;  and,  by  means  of  a  continual  increase 
of  places,  there  is  much  to  contend  for.     lam  very  thankful 


APPENDIX,  315 

to  be  as  little  as  possible  in  public  life,  except  in  my  mercan- 
tile capacity  ;  and  all  the  time  I  can  redeem,  is  requisite  to 
keep  up  spiritual  life. 

The  Quebec  bill  has  been  a  fine  subject  for  opposition; 
though  it  is  said  to  have  given  no  advantage  to  the  Roman 
Catholics,  but  what  they  were  entitled  to  by  their  capitulation. 
I  have  just  received  an  account  of  some  books  I  sent  there  ;  and 
I  transmit  you  some  of  the  most  striking  particulars  of  what 
was  written  from  thence.  I  shall  be  glad  to  hear  Mr.  Frisbie 
has  been  there,  and  visited  them,  as  I  think  his  visit  will  be 
.seasonable. 

Lord  Dartmouth  and  Lord  Mansfield    have,  at  my  request, 

interested  themselves  for  her  son-in-law,  S C serjeant 

of  the  10th  regiment  of  foot ;  that  I  have  a  good  hope  he  will 
be  promoted  by  a  proper  opportunity  :  and  I  shall  rejoice  at 
it  ;  as  his  wife  was  so  tender  and  affectionate  to  her  aged 
mother. 

I  have  just  been  desired  to  send  some  books  to  Corse,  as  there 
seems  to  be  a  work  begun  on  the  peninsula  of  Purbeck,  in 
Dorsetshire. 

I  purpose,  by  this  opportunity,  sending  you  a  few  books, 
such  as  I  think  calculated  for  usefulness  ;  some  of  which  I 
printed  ;  and  I  will,  at  any  time  supply  you  with  more. 

I  know  not  how  to  conclude  better,  than  with  good  old  Ja- 
bez,  praying,  that  the  God  of  Israel  may  bless  you  indeed,  en- 
large your  coast,  and  his  hand  be  with  and  keep  you  from  all 
evil ;  that  it  may  not  grieve  you.  I  trust  we  shall  often  be 
mindful  of  one  another,  and  soon  meet  to  be  forever  with  the 
Lord.  That  he  may  shine  more  upon  you  and  yours,  and  upon 
all  your  connexions,  is  the  fervent  pra3'er  of^ 

Dear  and  Rev.  Sir, 

Yours  affectionately, 

JOHN  THORNTON. 


31b'  APPENDIX. 

To  David  M'Clurc,  then  redding  in  Portsmouth,  N.  H. 

Dartmouth  College,  July  29,  1774.. 
My  Dear  M'Clure, 

I  have  not  time  to  write  you,  or  I  would  attempt  to  avail 
you  of  the  progress  and  state  of  my  affairs  here. 

We  find  a  formidable  combination  to  introduce  profaneness, 
licentiousness,  and  intemperance  into  this  Seminary  ;  and  the 
influence  of  gentlemen  of  such  a  character  upon  the  students 
has  been  surprisingly  great,  beyond  what  I  could  have  thought. 
Several  promising  youth  appear  to  have  been  ruined  by  them. 
I  was  shocked  at  seeing  the  progress  they  had  made  in  that 
road,  on  my  return  from  my  late  joiirney.  I  found  a  necessity 
to  exert  myself  beyond  what  I  ever  had  before  had  occasion 
for,  and  have  dismissed  a  number.  Since  which  we  seem  to  be 
returned  to  our  old  state  of  peace  and  quiet.  This  has  made 
a  terrible  smother,  and  filled  the  country  with  slanders  and  lies. 

I  have  heard  nothing  from  Mr.  Frisbie  since  he  left  Crown 
Point.  We  have  good  news  of  numbers  in  Canada  turning 
protestants. 

My  farming  affairs  go  on  well,  and  look  very  prosperous. 
I  hope  in  two  years  more  the  college  will  be  entirely  indepen- 
dent. I  long  to  see  you  much, — should  be  glad  of  a  line  when 
you  can,  and  thank  you  for  past  favors. 

I  am  yet  full  and  crowded  with  business  every  day,  and  al- 
most every  hour  and  minute.  Through  pure  mercy,  I  have 
considerably  gained  my  health.  Dr.  Crane  is  my  epistle,  to 
whom  I  must  refer  you  for  all  the  rest,  except  that  I  am. 

Yours  very  affectionately, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


APPENDIX.  3  1  7 

Fro?n  His  Excellencj/  Governor  Wentivorth. 

Portsmouth,  Oct.  2S,  177  4. 
My  Dear  and  Rev.  Friend, 

The  public  aftairs,  which  have    hitherto  so   engaged  me, 

as  to  prevent  my  writing   you    lately,  now  leave    me  only  an 

hurried  moment  to  present  my  best  respects  to  you. 

The  charter  of  incorporation  tor  Landaff,  will  be  completed 
before  next  post.     Poor  Mr.  J 's  illness  has  delayed  it. 

In  a  letter  from  Paul  Wentworth,  Esq.  he  says,  "  The  in- 
struments for  Dartmouth  College  are  making  under  the  inspec- 
tion of  Dr.  S and  Dr.  P ,  by  R y,  who  is  so  in- 
comparably the  best  hand  in  Europe,  that  it  would  be  a  crime, 
in  such  a  case,  not  to  prefer  him  to  the  persons  you  mention. 
I  have  mentioned  the  subscription  to  Lord  Dartmouth,  who  has 
promised  me  his  support.  These  things  shall  be  shipped  in  the 
fall  ships,  or  in  the  spring  early,  with  something  of  my  own, 
toward  a  library." 

I  think  we  may  rely  on  having  the  most  perfect  apparatus, 
and  a  liberal  addition  to  Col.  Phillips'  donation. 

I  shall  not  cease  to  study  the  interest  of  Dartmouth  College, 
as  the  best  service  to  the  province.  Whenever  any  thing  ar- 
rives for  the  College,  I  will  take  care  you  shall  be  notified,  and 
proper  attention  had  to  their  safety. 

May  the  best  of  heaven's  blessings,  here  or  hereafter,  attend 
you  and  yours,  is  ever  the  prayer  of,  my  dear  Sir, 

Your  affectionate  friend, 

JOHN  WENTWORTH. 

P.  S.  I  have  given  the  Rev.  Dr.  Pomeroy,  my  good  friend, 
one  or  two  rights  of  land,  in  3Iiii field  or  Erroll,  or  both.  I 
^vish  more  was  in  my  power. 


3  1  8  APPENDDC. 

To  John   Thornton,  Esquire. 

Dartmouth  College,  Nov.  10,  1774. 
Tory  Dear  and  much  Honored  Sir, 

Your   kind  favor  of  July  22d,  full    of  afFecting   and  en- 
dearing expressions  of  benevolence,  came  to  hand  the  4th  inst. 


•t» 


And  1  am  much  affected,  that  the  drafts  I  have  made  for  this 
school  so  much  overrun  the  fund,  as  your  account  informed  me 
they  do,  and  I  feared  they  would,  unless  additions  had  beeu 
made,  as  was  hoped  there  would  be.  I  expected  to  have  been 
seasonably  advised  when  I  had  near  run  out.  I  am  glad  the 
cause  is  in  your  hands,  and  hope,  by  some  means,  the  difficulty 
may  be  accommodated  without  your  protesting  a  bill.  I  drew 
for  no  more  than  appeared  quite  necessary  ;  and  have  used  my 
best  skill  and  prudence  in  laying  it  out ;  and  through  divine 
goodness  I  am  not  left  in  distress.  A  seasonable  donation  of 
Col.  Phillips',  last  commencement,  of  o£'450  sterling,  is  a  sur- 
prising instance  of  the  care  of  heaven.  I  fear  also  you  won- 
der ;  that  I  have  drawn  so  largely  on  you,  for  my  own  neces- 
sities. I  do  not  affect  grandeur,  nor  would  I  accept  a  gift  ta 
support  higher  living,  than  just  what  is  for  comfort  and  decen- 
cy. My  family  is  large,  and  exposed  to  much  company ;  and» 
you  understand,  have  been  under  all  the  disadvantages  of  set- 
tling in  the  wilderness ;  and  not  able  to  make  sale  of  my  pat- 
rimony which  I  left  in  Connecticut.  I  am  about  £250  sterl- 
ing yet  in  debt  for  building,  and  a  little  land  I  was  obliged  to 
buv  for  my  own  conveniency,  and  some  improvement  I  have 
made  upon  my  own  land,  which,  I  hope  soon,  to  reap  some 
benefit  from.  And,  honored  Sir,  if  I  v»ere  not  overwhelmed 
by  the  largeness  of  your  munificence  (which  has  been  the  prin- 
cipal means  of  my  support  since  I  left  Connecticut ;  and  that 
without  which,  unless  providence  had  opened  another  door  for 
it  than  ever  appeared,  I  could  not  have  subsisted  through  such 
a  scene  of  aflkirs  as  God  has  led  me)  I  would  humbly  mention 
to  you,  that,  as  we  hear  the  Congress  at  Philadelphia  have  u- 
nanimouslv  agreed  on  a  non-importation  from  England,  which 


will  likely  take  place  soon,  you  cannot,  at  present,  oblige  me, 
my  family  and  school  more,  than  by  such  articles  as  plain 
C:loths,  &c.  as  will  be  necessary  in  our  situation.  And,  that  I 
may  escape  the  displeasure  of  the  Colonies,  by  sending  them 
as  a  present  to  me  or  the  school,  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Jonathan 
Mason  of  Boston.  But  I  even  blush  at  that  which  looks  so 
much  like  crowding  upon  a  friend  ;  although  you  do,  my  dear 
Sir,  appear  to  have  the  genuine  marks  of  a  good  steward  of  the 
manifold  grace  of  God ;  and  as  such  I  bless  God  on  your  be- 
half, and  should  do  so  if  advantage  to  me  was  wholly  out  of 
the  case.  Your  e3''e  is  single,  and  your  heart  is  enlarged  to- 
wards the  cause  of  the  Redeemer.  And,  I  make  no  doubt,  this 
cause,  which  is  the  object  you  have  so  much  fixed  upon  to  en- 
courage, is  indeed  near  to  him,  and,  for  his  sake,  worthy  all 
that  attention  and  respect  for  which  you  have  so  distinguished 
yourself.  It  is  his  cause  ;  and  I  may  say,  so  far  as  I  am  able 
to  know  or  judge,  it  is  above  any  thing  of  the  nature,  at  pre- 
sent, in  this  land ;  the  joy  and  hope  of  God's  children. 

I  heartily  thank  you  for  your  prudent,  judicious,  and  vyell 
adapted  letter  to  my  students.  It  was  received  with  universal 
expressions  of  gratitude  and  respect.  I  believe  it  will  do  good  : 
and  I  here  enclose  their  answer.  And  I  humbly  beg  a  repeti- 
tion of  the  favor,  as  your  occasions  will  allow  ;  as  your  name 
and  influence  here  is  great. 

I  thank  you  also  for  your  enclosed  copies  of  the  account  of 
a  revival  of  the  work  of  God  at  Chester — from  the  good  woman 
at  Quebec,  and  the  conversion  of  the  Tuscarora  squaw.  All 
which  were  refreshing. 

The  missionaries  returned  some  weeks  ago.  Mr.  Dean  was 
stopped  in  his  progress,  by  news  of  hostilities  committed,  and 
others  designed  by  tribes,  in  his  way  to  Detroit.  Mr.  Frisbie 
visited  and  preached  to  the  little  nest  of  christians  at  Quebec  ; 
and  was  pleased  to  find  such  appearances  of  real  religion,  in 
that  very  wicked,  blind,  deluded  province.     They  left  Thcraus 


3£0  APPENDLX. 

Walcott  witli  the  Sachem  at  St.  Francis,  from  whence  they 
brought  to  this  school  the  Sachem's  son,  and  three  other  boys 
whose  grand  parents  were  captured  from  New  England  many- 
years  ago.  And  Mr.  Kendall  brought  iniother  boy  from  Cag- 
nawaga.  I  have  now  six  children  of  captives,  and  all  appear 
promising-  If  God  shall  graciously  fit  then»  for  missions  a- 
mong  distant  tribes,  whose  language  they  can  speak,  we  may 
say,  that  this  expensive  mission,  though  in  some  respects  un- 
successful, was  well  repaid. 

I  enclose  a  puerile  performance  of  my  second  son,  about 
twenty  years  old. 

The  temper  and  conduct  of  my  students  (about  one  hundred 
in  number)  are  quite  agreeable.  It  is  quite  a  refreshment  to 
me  to  meet  them  at  prayers  as  soon  as  it  is  light  in  the  morn- 
ing, and  read  and  expound  a  chapter  to  them  before  prayer, 
when  there  is  nothing  but  silence,  gravity,  and  attention  :  and 
again  in  the  edge  of  the  evening  to  sing  a  psalm,  and  ask  them 
questions,  and  discourse  with  them  about  half  an  hour,  on  some 
important  point  in  divinit}',  and  withal,  to  see  a  laudable  emula- 
tion in  them  to  excel.  And  I  can  say  I  do  not  know,  or  sus- 
pect there  is  more  than  one  tricing  scholar  in  my  whole 
number  ;  nor  is  there  any  living  for  vicious  youth  here.  This 
is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  in  him  I  hope  for  the  continuance 
of  it. 

I  pray  you,  my  honored  Sir,  let  me  hear  from  you  as  soon 
as  may  be  ;  as  it  gives  me  much  pain,  that  my  drafts  have  so 
much  exceeded  the  fund.  I  shall  be  impatient  till  1  know 
your  pleasure  respecting  the  matter. 

Please,  my  honored  patron,  accept  my  warmest  affection, 
and  sincerest  duty,  and  pray  fervently  for. 

Your  much  and  often  obliged  friend. 

And  most  obedient  hamble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK/ 


APPENDIX.  52  i 

To  Air.  Samuel  Savage. 

Dartmouth  College,  October  24,  1775. 
My  ver>'  Dear  and  Honored  Friend, 

Yours  of  March  1st,  and  one  of  the  same  inst.  I  received 
a  few  days  before,  were  most  thankfully  received.  But  your 
care  and  kindness,  therein  expressed  to  me  personally,  seem  to 
outbid  any  reply,  or  suitable  return  of  gratitude,  that  I  know 
how  to  make. 

And,  though  the  state  of  the  kingdom,  through  the  madness 
and  distraction  of  men,  is  such,  as  nearly  cuts  off  all  hopes  of 
my  partaking  of  the  benefit  which  you  had  in  your  heart  to 
bestow ;  yet  your  purpose  and  reward  are  with  him,  whom 
you  will  soon  find  able  and  mindful  to  requite  it.  He  is  my 
sole  executoi^or  this  purpose  ;  and  it  is  my  last  will  he  should 
be  so.  And  I  have  much  pleasure  in  the  assurance,  that  he 
will  not  make  the  unworthiness  of  the  object  of  your  chtirity 
his  rule  of  reward  to  you. 

My  sun  is  now  declining  apace,  and  I  sometimes  long  to 
have  my  day's  work  done,  and  well  done,  that  I  might  undress, 
and  go  to  rest  with  you.  Yet  I  am  not  at  all  vveary — I  love 
my  Master,  and  love  his  service — but  alas,  how  little  have  I 
done  !  And  that  little,  how  full  of  defects  and  hateful  appen- 
dages !  Insomuch,  that  I  feel  ashamed  to  die,  because  I  have 
done  no  more,  nor  better  for  him.  Thanks  be  to  God,  who 
has,  at  infinite  expence,  provided  a  cover  for  all  defects,  and 
supply  of  all  the  necessities  of  the  most  unworthy  and  ill  de- 
serving. 

I  give  you  joy,  my  dear  friend,  on  your  near  approach  to 
your  Father's  house.  Your  journey  is  near  ended — you  are 
just  within  sight  of  your  happy,  happy  home  ;  your  rest  with 
Christ  forever. 

I  write  you  and  dear  Mr.  Keen,  jointl}^  of  some  particulars, 
which  I  supposed  would  be  as  well.     And,   I  pray  you,  let  it 
be  as  acceptable  as  though  I  had  written  you  separately. 
41 


322  APPENDIX. 

Please  to  accept  most  hearty  thanks,  and  warmest  love  irom^ 

my  dear  Sir, 

Your  most  cordial  brother. 

And  much  obliged  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK; 


To  Messrs.  Savage  and  Keen, 

Ddrtmouth  College,  October  24,  1775. 
My  Dear  and  Hon.  Sirs, 

I  suppose  that  our  public  affairs  have  long  apologized  for 
my  silence.  Our  seaports  are  blocked  up,  and  seldom  have 
an  opportunity,  by  any  ordinary  channel,  to  transmit  a  line, 
&c.  &c.      . 

I  long  to  see   you  and   my  hmiored   patrons  ;  but  especially 

my   dear  Lord  Dartmouth,   whom  I  most   sincerely    love  and 

honor,   and  most  ardently   wish  to  be   steady  and  firm  for  the 

Redeemer,  in  this  day  of  temptation,  when  truth  is  continually 

so  disguised,   and  every  artifice   is   used  by   the  old  sower  of 

discord  among  brethren,  to  accomplish  hisowndevilish  purposes. 

We  dwell   in  peace  here   in  this  wilderness ;    and  through 

the  unfailing  goodness    of  God,    hitherto  enjoy  a  Ci>ntinued 

series  of  blessings,  outward   and   spiritual,  and  this,   my  dear 

Sirs,  beyond  what  I  can  easily  describe  to  you.     The  progress 

of  the  great  design  under  my  hand  has  been  as  rapid,  and  the 

prospects  as  great,  since  resources  from   your  side   the  water 

have  been  suspended,  as  ever.     Every  day  turns  out  some  new 

wonder  of  divine  favor  towards  it.     1  have  this  day  been  out 

to  see  my  labourers,    who  have  near  finished  sowing  1 10  acres 

<)f  wheat  and  rye,    but  mostly  of  wheat;    and  100  acres  of  it 

on  new  land.     No  providences,   however  calamitous  to  others, 

not  even  our  present  public  distresses,  but  seem  as  though  they 

were  calculated  to  favor  this  design.     Yea,   when  I  look  back 

on  the  course  of  providence  towards  it,  it  appears  to  have  been 

the  charge  and  care  of  a  guardian  full  of  eyes.     God  gives  me 


APPENDIX.  323 

all  I  ask  for,  and  he  is  a  prayer  hearing  God.  And  if  I  was 
not  stupid,  sluggish,  and  unbelieving,  I  doubt  not  I  should  have 
much  more,  and  all  I  want ;  for  he  hath  said,  *'  open  your 
mouth  wide  and  I  will  fill  it."  But  the  greatest  of  all  his 
blessings  upon  this  institution,  hath  been  of  a  spiritual  kind. 
The  last  spring  and  summer  was  a  very  heaven  here.  The 
operation  began  with  a  few,  and  gradually  increased  till  the 
lump  seemed  almost  leavened  by  it.  But  there  is  now  evident- 
ly an  abatement  of  religious  affairs.  Yet  we  see  and  feel  tke 
happy  effects  of  it.  I  never  saw  such  a  set  of  youth  together 
(about  100  in  number)  in  my  life.  Though  perhaps  this  may 
not  be  so  well  said  by  me  as  by  another.  But  I  wish  you 
could  be  here  to  see  and  judge  for  yourselves.  I  tremble  for 
fear  of  such  sad  effects  as  the  abuse  of  such  a  favor  will  entitle  us  to. 

I  send  this  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Ripley,  who  is  going  on  a  mis- 
sion to  the  tribes  of  Indians  in  Canada,  and  with  orders  to  bring 
a  number  with  him  to  this  School.  My  dear  Sirs,  I  thank  you 
both  for  all  your  multiplied  expressions  of  respect  and  kindness 
to  me  ;  I  pray  the  Lord  to  reward  you  :  and  hope  ere  long  to 
meet  you  in  our  Father's  house. 

I  am,  with  most  cordial  affection,  gratitude  and  esteem. 
Yours  in  the  dearest  bonds, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  David  M'Clure,  Porimouth 

Dartmouth  College,  March  9,  1774-. 
My  Dear  Sir, 

The  success  and  conquests  of  the  last  war  in  America, 
spread  universal  joy  through  Europe  as  well  as  America ;  and 
especially  as  thereby  a  door  appeared  to  be  opened,  not  only 
to  extirpate  antichristianism,  but  for  the  spreading  of  the  gos- 
pel among  brutal  pagans. 

The  steps  of  Providence  were  observed  so  to  coincide,  as  to 
inspire  great  confidence  that  very  great  and  happy  events  were 
even  at  the  door. 


324  APPENDtX. 

This  School  has  been  the  object  through  which  the  hopes  of 
thousands  have  been  much  raised,  and  I  hope  their  prayers  as 
well  as  thanksgivings  to  God,  have  been  excited.  We  have 
no  reason  to  think  the  prospects  will  grow  more  encouraging, 
while  they  are  neglected  and  given  over  to  the  will  of  satan, 
and  his  instruments  the  traders,  who  are  continually  making 
them  worse  and  worse. 

A  few  unsuccessful  missions  should  by  no  means  discourage 
or  dishearten  us.  Great  and  good  purposes  are  answered  by 
them.  They  manifest  our  care  for  perishing  souls,  and  they 
are  unto  God  a  sweet  savor  of  Christ.  There  seems  to  be  a 
door  open  for  four  or  five  to  the  northward  ;  two  to  the  east- 
ward, and  two  to  the  westward,  if  we  had  them,  the  next  sea- 
son. It  is  true  our  prospects  are  gloomy,  but  I  think  they  are 
not  so  much  so  as  ought  to  discourage  us. 

I  herewith  transmit  to  your  prudent  care,  a  plan  of  a  College 
edifice  to  be  erected  here,  if  it  suits.  Take  care  that  it  be  not 
marred  by  handling.  I  send  it  to  you  that  the  Governor  and 
Council,  and  especially  the  Trustees,  may  see  it.  I  should  be 
glad  also,  that  you  would  shew  it  to  Capfc.  Holland,*  and  other 
friendly  gentlemen,  and  hear  and  advise  me  of  their  cen- 
sures, &c. 

I  think  it  will  be  best  to  submit  the  matter  wholly  to  the 
Honorable  Trust  in  England,  whether  to  build  with  wood,  stone, 
or  brick,  and  also  the  bigness  and  form  of  the  building,  &c. 
And  if  Col.  Boyd  be  the  earliest  and  best  conveyance,  please 
seal  it  neatly  and  convey  it  by  him,  or  if  a  quicker  convey- 
ance may  be  had  at  Boston,  please  embrace  it. 

I  am,  my  dear  man. 

Yours  most  affectionately, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


*  Author  of  an  elegant  Map  of  New  Hampshire,  and  Surveys  of  the 
Sea-Coast  of  New  England. 


ARPENDIX.  323 

To  the  same., 

Dartmouth  College,  Dec.  22,  1774. 
My  Dear  M'Clure, 

Your  last  by  the  post  afforded  me   much  pleasure.     The 

Lord  bless   you   with  the  blessings  of  his  goodness.     1  have  a 

thousand  things  to  write,  but  have  no  time.     The  College  and 

School  are  at  present,  in  a    happy  temper  and  disposition.     I 

think  ***  bids  fair  to  make  a  charming  man. 

My  Indian  boys  begin  to  suffer  for  want  of  clothing,  which 
I  hoped  to  have  had  in  consequence  of  my  bill  on  the  Society 
in  Scotland,  by  Col.  Boyd.  If  any  thing  should  arrive  for  me, 
I  pray  you  to  give  me  the  earliest  intelligence  of  it,  and  take 
all  necessary  care  about  it.  All  resources  from  Europe  are 
wholly  stopped,  unless  I  may  have  relief  from  Scotland. 

I  wait  upon  God,  who  performeth  all  things  for  me.  I  am 
5^ours,  most  cordially  and  affectionately, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  same, 

Dartmouth  College,  Feb.  23,  1775. 
My  Dear  M'Clure, 

I  am  involved  in  debt.  My  dear  friend  in  London,  suf- 
fered me  to  draw  five  or  six  hundred  pounds  sterling,  beyond 
what  was  in  their  hands  to  pay.  I  have  above  a  thousand 
pounds,  L.  M.  due  here,  but  cannot  get  five  of  it,  nor  enough 
to  pay  for  necessary  stores  for  the  College. 

I  see  no  way  but  to  hire  money  of  the  Assembly,  unless  they 
will  be  so  generous,  at  this  pinch,  as  to  give  £500,  or  of  1000 
sterling,  of  their  money  in  England.  And  I  doubt  not,  but  the 
godly  part  of  the  Assembly  would  cheerfully  give  it,  if  they 
could  only  truly  know  the  present  state  of  the  College. 

The  work  of  God's  grace  has  made  a  most  amazing  progress 
here  of  late.  If  God  continues  his  loving  kindness  according 
to  our  late  experience  of  it,  the  v^hole  lumn  will  be  soon  lea^■ 


3^6  APPENDliJC. 

ened  by  it.  We  have  heaven  upon  earth  here.  Conversions 
are  multiplied,    and  clearer  and  better  fruits,  I  never  saw.     J. 

S is  rejoicing, — and  not  more  than  one  or  two  of  our  nuni* 

ber,  but  are  under  great  impressions  of  one  kind  or  the  other. 
By  Mr.  Frisbie  you  may  be  more  fully  informed  of  our  state. 

In  a  letter  of  March  1 7th,  he  writes  thus  : 

The  affairs  of  this  seminary  appear  as  agreeable  as  ever. 
Sixteen  joined  this  church  the  last  sabbath,  and  I  hope  the 
whole  lump  will  be  leavened,  and  all  resolve,  at  all  haaardsf^ 
to  be  followers  of  the  Lamb  of  God. 


To  the  same. 

Dartmouth  College,  March  20,  1775. 
?Ty  Dear  Sir, 

With  much  confidence  in  your  well  known  and  long  ex- 
perienced benevolence,  and  with  a  hope  that  you  may  point 
out  to  me  some  way  of  relief  under  my  present  straits,  I  think 
proper  to  give  you  the  trouble  of  a  short  representation  of  my 
necessities  and  difficult  case. 

To  support  the  expensive  northern  missions  ;  my  Indians  at 
school  here  ;  Thomas  Walcott  to  learn  their  language  in  the 
wilderness,  &.c.  I  have  drawn  on  the  Hon.  Trust  in  London, 
before  I  was  aware  of  it,  for  near  06^600  sterling,  more  than 
was  deposited  in  their  hands.  The  bills  are  noted  and  will  be 
protested  if  not  paid.  But  I  cannot  take  the  blame  of  this 
error,  if  there  was  any,  wholly  to  myself,  for  I  did  not  know 
how  much  there  was  in  their  hands;  as  I  hoped  and  expected 
that  additions  greater  than  I  find,  had  been  made  to  the  ori- 
ginal sum  ;  and  also,  as  I  had  desired  that  care  might  be  taken 
to  prevent  such  an  error,  and  that  1  might  be  seasonably  ad- 
vised when  there  should  be  dangers. 

These  drafts,  you  will  easily  conceive,  in  addition  to  the 
weight  of  charge  daily  upon  me  in  this  wilderness,  must  needs 
involve  me  in  great  straits ;  but  these  I  might  now  be  easily 


APPENDIX.  327 

delivered  from,  could  I  have  the  benefit  of  the  money  which 
was  collected  for  this  purpose,  in  the  hands  of  the  Honorable 
Society  in  Scotland,  viz.  about  0^2500  sterling  :  but  that  is  di- 
verted at  present  from  my  use,  as  they  have  determined  it  shall 
be  disposed  of  only  through  the  hands,  and  by  the  direction  of 
their  Boston  and  New  Jersey  boards;  and  so  it  is  turned  quite, 
©ut  of  my  reach. 

This  I  understand  by  abstracts  of  letters  from  Europe,  has 
been  etTected  by  private  slanders,  without  the  least  intimation 
gf  so  much  as  a  suspicion,  of  the  smallest  blame  in  me,  in  any 
respect,  from  the  first  to  this  day. 

If  I  could  have  the  use  of  that  money  to  pay  the  past  ex- 
pence  of  those  missions,  and  the  support  of  these  boys,  which 
I  take  to  be  the  very  design  of  the  pious  donors,  (and  which  I 
make  no  doubt  the  Hon.  Society  would  readily  grant  if  there 
was  one  they  could  rely  upon  to  give  them  a  true  representa- 
tion of  the  case)  I  might  at  once  get  clear  of  the  debts.  And 
if  these  boys  and  missions  might  be  supported  by  that  monev 
for  a  few  years  to  come,  there  is  a  prospect  I  may  soon  effect 
the  plan  of  supporting  the  whole  by  the  culti\Mtion  of  these 
lands,  without  such  dependence  on  foreign  aid  ;  but  I  am  left 
at  such  a  time  and  so  involved  in  debts,  that  unless  God  shali 
mercifully  appear,  (and  in  him  only  do  I  hope)  these  bo3's 
must  be  sent  home,  or  suffer  here  ;  but  this  is  a  backward  step, 
pregnant  with  very  shocking  consequences,  both  to  this  cause, 
and  to  the  country,  at  this  distressing  day. 

I  have  now  with  me,  boys  from  all  the  most  respectable 
tribes  in  Canada ;  and  this  connection  with  this  school  with 
them,  and  that  friendly  and  continual  inteicourse  between  them 
and  us,  by  means  of  this  school,  I  esteem  to  be,  under  God, 
the  surest  bulwarks,  these  new  settlements,  and  this  seminary 
in  {^articular,  can  have  against  the  invasion  of  a  northern  army 
ei  savages,  &c.  which  we  are  threatened  with,* 

♦  Doctor  Wheelock,  hi  his  letters  and  printed  narratives,  uses  the 
phrase  Seminary,  aad  soii^titimes  lajnuitjon,  as  comprehensiTe  ol  thft 
Colles:e  and  School. 


328  APPENDKC. 

For  this  reason,  notwithstanding  my  present  distress,  I  hUve 
Sent  Mf.  Deanf  to  itinerate  as  a  missionary  this  spring,  among 
their  tribes,  to  strengthen  that  friendship,  and  cuUivate  that 
acquaintance,  which  has  lately  commenced  between  us,  and  to 
bring  more  of  their  children,  if  he  can,  with  him  this  spring, 
to  this  school ;  among  whom  I  hope  to  have  the  young  sachenv, 
who  was  lately  elected  and  crowned  at  Cagnawaga,  whom  his 
father  promised  to  send  to  receive  an  education  here. 

We  understand  by  missionaries  and  others,  that  some  of  their 
warriors  are  in  high  spirits,  to  take  part  in  the  controversy, 
on  one  side  or  the  other  ;  and  if  they  be  not  secured  on  this, 
they  likely  will  on  the  other  side;  and  then  what  will  be  the 
distress  of  these  infant  and  unarmed  frontiers  ?  And  how  much 
of  the  strength  and  wealth  of  the  country  below  us,  must  be 
turned  this  way,  to  secure  us  ? 

Mr.  Dean's  thorough  acquaintance  with  the  language  and 
customs  of  the  Six  Nations,  (having  as  you  know,  been  early 
naturalized  and  brought  up  among  them)  his  great  interest  in 
their  affections,  as  well  as  many  other  singular,  natural,  and 
acquired  accomplishments,  render  him,  in  my  opinion,  the 
fittest  man  I  know  upon  earth,  to  be  employed  in  the  affair ; 
and  I  make  no  doubt,  could  he  be  properly  authorized  and  en- 
couraged, might  be  instrumental  to  attach  all  the  Six  Nations, 
and  likely  the  northern  tribes,  about  Canada,  to  our  hiterest ; 
so  that  we  should  have  nothing  to  fear  from  their  siding  in  any 
invasion,  that  should  be  made  or  attempted,  against  these  Col- 
onies. I  wish  the  gentlemen  of  the  Continental  Congress 
could  be  fuil}'^  availed  of  the  importance  of  the  things,  I  now 
suggest.  And  I  wish,  my  dear  sir,  you  could,  for  1  know  you 
will,  if  you  can,  point  out  some  way  for  redress  of  my  present 
necessities.  Will  it  do  to  send  these  promising  boys  home,  and 
take  no  more  from  thence,  though  they  are  very  desirous  of 
coming  r  And  send    no   more  missionaries,   though   many  are 

f  Noa-  of  Deansville,  State  of  New  York. 


APPENDIX.  52B. 

willing  to  hear  them  ?  And  thus  appear  at  once  to  desert  and 
wholly  cast  them  oil"?  This  is  such  a  step  as  appears  to  me 
shocking,  under  our  present  circumstances,  while  we  have  rea- 
jjon  to  fear  it  might  prove  an  occasion  of  inspiring  any  of  their 
warriors  to  join  against  us. 

I  have  sent  down  to  Connecticut,  upon  the  almost  hopeless 
errand,  to  hire  c£600  sterling,  and  propose  to  mortgage  my 
patrimony,  and  all  my  interest  there,  if  required,  as  security 
for  the  use  of  that  money,  three  or  four  years,  and  trust  that 
kind  providence,  which  has  hitherto  appeared  for  me,  to  repay 
it,  rather  than  to  send  these  boys  awa}*.  You  know  what  my 
interest  in  Connecticut  is  ;  and  are  able  to  assure  any  gentle- 
man, that  I  am  able  to  secure  that  sum,  by  my  lands  and 
buildings  in  Windham  and  Lebanon.  If  you  can  find  one 
here,  who  has  that  money  in  bank  in  England,  it  may  be  he 
would  be  willing  and  glad,  as  affairs  are  at  present,  to  embrace 
such  an  opportunity,  to  bring  the  same  on  this  side  the  water. 
Or  if  you  could  by  any  means  be  instrumental  to  my  relief,  ia 
that  way  in  which  I  had  reason  to  expect  it,  viz.  by  removing 
prejudices  from  the  minds  of  the  Honorable  Society,  that  would 
be  much  better. 

I  am  so  well  acquainted  with  your  prudence,  and  assured  of 
your  friendship,  that  I  am  not  afraid  to  give  you  full  liberty 
to  use  what  I  wTite,  as  you  shall  judge  to  be  necessary  and 
best.  I  trust  the  great  importance  of  the  subject  will  excuse- 
my  detaining  you  so  long,  and  that  I  need  only  add  that  I  am,. 
my  dear  man. 

Yours  very  affectionately, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


To  the  sat  fie. 

Dartmouth  College,  June  16,  1775.' 
My  Deal-  Sir, 

Mr.  Storrs,  my  bookkeeper,  designs  to   set  out  with  the 
post,  and  to  bespeak  your  assistance  iu  procuring  a  small  assort* 

42 


3  so  APPENtJiX. 

ment  of  goods  for  the  supply  of  the  necessities  of  the  Indians 
and  others  here.  I  hope  Mr.  Henderson  will  find  it  in  his  way 
to  let  me  have  goods  reasonably  for  the  J:!4'0  sterling  draft,  I 
committed  to  him  two  years  ago,  which  he  is  lately  advised  is 
accepted  by  the  Society  in  Scotland.  And  a  mission  to  Cana- 
da, and  the  support  of  boys  from  thence,  being  now  recom- 
mended to  that  Society,  by  the  board  in  the  Jersies,  (which 
was  the  condition  they  required)  I  trust  there  will  be  no  ob- 
jection against  my  fufure  and  necessary  drafts  for  that  purpose. 
And  I  hope  that,  upon  the  credit  of  such  a  bill,  Mr.  H.  will  be 
willing  to  advance  as  many  goods  as  I  shall  want.  And  when 
Mr.  S.  comes,  I  hope  it  will  be  in  your  power  to  exercise  your 
usual  benevolence  in  affording  him  such  advice  and  assistance, 
as  shall  be  necessary  for  one,  no  more  acquainted  with  such 
airnirs. 

The  state  of  the  College,  at  present,  is  very  agreeable  ;  but 
of  this  part  of  the  pr^Dvince,  it  is  quite  otherwise.  There  ap- 
pears to  be  at  and  about  Coos,  a  large  combination,  who,  un- 
der pretence  of  defending  the  cause  of  liberty,  are  furiously 
acting  in  direct  opposition  to  those  who  are  soberly  contending 
for  it.  They  seem  not  to  be  contending  for  those  constitutional 
rights,  which  we  have  quietly  enjoyed  heretofore  ;  but  to 
break  up  the  very  constitution  itself,  and  all  the  invaluable 
privileges  we  have  had,  and  enjoyed  under  it.  Some  of  them 
appear  to  be  inspired  to  a  great  degree,  but  not  from  on  high, 
nor  with  a  spirit  that  disposes  them  to  an  imitation  of  the  meek, 
patient,  and  humble  Immanuel. 

Yesterday,  I  received  letters  from  London.  My  friends  re- 
joice in  a  prospect  that  overtures  are  making  and  will  be  made 
from  that  side,  which  will  restore  the  peace  between  us  and 
them.     Tlie  Lord  grant  they  may  be  successful  ! 

Give  my  love  to  Mr.  Frisbie,  when  you  see  him. 
Accept  vvaj'mest  affection,  my  dear  man,  from 
You  IS  most  cordially, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


APPENDIX.  S3  k 

To  the  same. 

Dartmouth  College,  Aug.  24,  177.3. 
Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, 

Mr.  Sherburne  writes  me,  that  he  cannot  attend  the  ap- 
proaching commencement,  on  account  of  the  present  state  of 
public  afKiirs  ;  and  also,  that  he  thinks  Mr.  Jeftrey  will  not 
attend  ;  and  I  hear  that  Brigadier  Oilman  and  Col.  Phillips, 
likely  will  not  come  ;  and  if  so,  we  shall  have  no  board,  and 
the  consequences,  in  too  many  mstances  to  niention,  will  be 
sad  and  trying  indeed.  Mr.  Swetland  is  gone  down  to  Heb- 
ron, on  purpose  to  supply  Dr.  Pomeroy's  pulpit,  that  he  may 
come  without  offence  to  his  people.  I  believe  there  never  was 
an  opportunity  here  for  Trustees  to  do  more  good  than  now. 
An  excellent  class  to  receive  the  honors  of  College,  who  must 
be  sadly  disappointed  ;  but  that  is  not  all,  nor  half,  nor  can  I 
represent  the  necessity  in  a  just  light.  Pray  be  so  good  as  to 
be  an  importunate  intercessor  in  the  case.  I  long  to  see  our 
dear  Governor.  I  never  pitied  him  as  I  do  now.  His  trials 
are  very  many  and  great. 

I  am,  yours,   &c. 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 

P.  S.  Just  as  I  had  folded  this  letter,  Mr.  Dean  returned 
from  the  Continental  Congress  ;  but  with  nothing  very  inter- 
esting that  he  may  yet  publish. 

I  have  the  pleasure  to  receive  the  fullest  assurance  of  their 
approbation  and  well  pleasedness  with  the  plan  I  have  been 
and  am  still  pursuing,  and  their  apprehensions  of  its  great  util- 
ity to  the  public  cause ;  which  abundantly  compensates  the 
slander  and  virulent  threats  of  all  our  savage  herd.^ 

I  am,  yours,  &c.  E.  W. 

*  Doctor  Wheelock  was  an  able  and  zealous  advocate  for  the  libprtic'? 
of  the  Colonies  ;  and  consequently  opposed  to  the  aiLirrai  v  and  ty- 
rannical acts  of  ihe  British  govennnent.  Ho  was  equally  opposed  to 
the  ungovernable  fury  of  mobs.  At  the  commencrnieut  of  the  conten- 
tion, he  had  no  idea  of  a  separation  of  the  Colonics  from.  Uittaia;  but 


$3t  APPENDIX: 

The  following  letter,  certifying  a  gentle?nan  in  New  Hamp^hiret. 
of  his  election  to  the  office  of  Trttstee  of  the  College,  is  among  tlte 
fast  of  the  writings  of  Doctor  Wheelock. 

Dartmouth  College,  Sept.  11,  1777. 
My  Dear  Sir, 

I  wrote  you  a  few  days  ago  ;  but  the  affair  is  so  impor- 
tant and  conveyance  so  uncertain,  that  it  seems  proper  that 
you  should  be  served  with  a  duplicate. 

After  long  deliberation  (by  the  bbard)  you  was  unanimously 
chosen  to  the  place  and  office  of  Trustee  of  this  College,  of 
which  this  line  is  to  inform  you,  and  notify  you  that  the  board 
found  it  necessary  to  adjourn,  and  accordingly  did  adjourn  their 
meeting  to  the  third  Wednesday  of  October  next,  to  meet  here, 
and  to  pray  you  not  to  fail  of  your  attendance  thereon.  I  am 
yet  in  a  low  state,  and  many  ways  tried  ;  but  God  is  my  help- 
er.    Pray  for  me. 

Your  constant  and  cordial  Friend^ 
And  humble  servant, 

ELEAZAR  WHEELOCK. 


expected,  that  when  the  British  government  should  be  rightly  informed 
of  the  disposition  of  the  Colonists,  a  reconciliation,  on  liberal  and  con-, 
stiiutional  principles,  would  take  place.  As  the  breach  widened,  by 
reiterated  acts  of  oppression  on  the  side  of  the  British,  and  the  bold  and 
persevering  spirit  of  resistance  on  the  side  of  the  Colonies,  he  saw,  with 
anxiety  and  grief  the  approach  of  the  horrors  of  civil  war,  and  of  a  total 
and  perpetual  separation.  Like  a  generous  patriot,  he  advocated  the 
cause  of  his  country,  by  letters  addressed  to  intlnential  gentlemen  in 
England,  by  which  he  lost  the  friendship  of  some,  who  had  been  bene- 
factors of  his  School. 


SUBSCRIBERS'  NAMES'. 


A. 
MR.  TDIOTHY  ALLYN,  East  Wiiukor,  Connecticut. 
William  Ainswortli,  Dartmouth  College, 
Jacob  ^lien,  Dartmouth  Collei^e. 
Lemuel  H.  Aniolcl,  Dartmouth  College. 
Daniel  Aubtin,  Dartmouth  College. 
Zachariah  Atwood,  Newburyport,  Massachusetts. 
Benjamin  Alien,  L.  L.  D.  Preceptor  ot'Dummer  Academy,  Byfidd. 

JB. 
Rev.  Eden  Burroughs,  D.  D.  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
Rev.  Asa  Burton,  D.  D.  Thetfbrd,  Veiinont. 
Rev.  .Tonathan  Brown,  Londonderry,  New  Hampshire. 
Seth  C.  Bardvvin,  jun.  Hanover,  ISevv  Hampshue, 
Richard  Bean,  Dartmouth  College. 
Samuel  A.  Bradley,  Esq.  Fryeburgh,  District  Maiott, 
William  Borrows,  jun.  Hebron,  District  Maine. 
Joshua  Barnett,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
Jedadiah  Baldwin,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
Wiiham  Bradley,  Esq.  Harttbrd,  Connecticut. 
Titus  L.  Bissell,  Deputy  sheriff,  Hartford,  Connecticut. 
Mr.  Samuel  Bartlett,  East  Wmdsor,  Conuecticut. 
•Tonathan  Barnes,  State's  Attorney  tor  Tolland,  Connecticul. 
Syivanus  Backus,  Esq.  Pomlret,  Connecticut. 
Eleazar  Bianchard,  Dartmouth  College. 
Rev.  Abram  Buruham,  Pembroke,  New  Hampshire, 

C. 
Philip  Carrigain,  Esq,  Concord,  New  Hampshire. 
Gideon  Cushman,  jun.  Hel)ron,  District  Maine. 
Thomas  Chester,  Clerk  of  the  Supreme  Court,  Connecticut, 
Samuel  Cowls,  Esq.  Farm.ington,  Connecticut 
INIason  F.  Cogswell,  M.  D.  Hartford,  Connecticut. 
Sheldon  W,  Candee,  Esq.  Hartford,  Coimecticut. 
Stephen  Chester,  Sheriff,  Weathersfieid,  Connecticut. 
Aaron  M.  Church,  Esq.  Hartibrd,  Connecticut. 
Elisha  Colt,  Comptroller  of  public  accoums,  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
Mr.  Oliver  D.  Cooke,  Hartford,  Connecticut. 
Jabez  Clark,  State's  Attorney  for  Windham,  Connecticut. 
David  (Jhassels,  Dartmouth  College. 
Henry  Crosby.  Dartmouth  College, 
Stephen  Caidweil,  Dartmouth  College. 
Alexander  S.  Campbell,  Dartmouth  College; 
Alexander  Chadbourn,  Dartmouth  College: 
Caleb  Chase,  Dartmouth  College. 
Nomlass  Cobb,  Dartmouth  College. 
Carloss  Coolidge,  Dartmouth  Collegev, 
Charles  ("urtis,  Dartmouth  College. 
Bezaleel  Cushman,  Dartn.outh  College. 
Jonas  Cutter,  Dartmouth  College. 
Samuel  Crosby,  Dartmouth  College. 
Francis  Cogswell,  Dartmouth  College. 


334  suBscrdBEiiiy  names*, 

Alexander  R.  Chasr,  Dartmouth  College. 
Frederick  Cnshing,  Dartmouth  College. 

D. 
Judah  Dana,  Esq.  Fryeburgh,  District  Maine. 
Thomas  Day,  Secretary  of  State,  Hartford,  Connaclicatr^ 
William  Dixon,  Esq.  Enfield. 
Mr.  Benjamin  Dnick,  Pomfret,  Connecticut. 
Mr.  John  L.  Dickerman,  Dartnjouth  College. 
Samuel  Dinsmore,  jun.  Keene,  New  Hampshire. 
Mr.  J.  W.  Edwards,  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
Rev.  J.  Eliot,  D.  D.  Boston,  Mass. 

F. 
^Edward  Freeman,  Hano\er,  New  Hampshire. 
Peyton  R.  Freeman,  do.  do. 

Luther  Forror,  jun,  Esq.  Norway. 
Samuel  Fletcher,  Dartmouth  College. 
Jotham  Fairfield,  Dartmouth  College. 
Jonathan  Fowle,  Dartmouth  College. 
Benjamin  F.  French,  Dartmouth  College. 
Rev.  John  Foster,  Brighton,  Mass. 

G. 
Joseph  Grow,  Hartland,  Vermont. 
John  M.  Gannett,  Hartford,  Connecticut. 
Thomas  Grosvenor,  Esq.  Pomfret,  Connecticut. 
Rev.  Edward  D.  Griffin,  D.  D.  Boston,  Mass.  Professor  of  Palpie 

Eloquence,  Divinity  College,  Andover. 
Rev.  E.  Giiler,  Hallowell,  Maine. 
Thomas  C.  Gardrier,  Dartmouth  College,  2  copies. 
James  S.  Goodwin,  Dartmouth  College. 
Silvester  Gilbert,  Esq.  Judge  of  the  court,  Tolland,  ConnecticUtr 

H. 
Daniel  Hardy,  jun.  A.  M.  Pelhnm,  New  Hampshire. 
George  Hough,  Concord,  New  Hampshire. 
Daniel  Hopkins,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
David  Hale,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 
Eii  B.  Haskell,  Merchant,  East  Windsor,  Connecticue. 
Rev.  Nathaniel  Huso,  East  Windsor,  Connecticut. 
Dr.  Thomas  Hubbard,  Pomfret,  Coimecticut. 
Rev.  Joshua  Huntington,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 
.Tames  Hardy,  Dartmouth  College. 
Jonathan  Hartwell,  Dartmouth  College. 
Luke  [lowe,  DartmouHi  College. 
Asa  Hall,  Dartmoutb  College. 
Benjamin  F.  Heywood,  Dartmoutli  College, 
Charles  Hinckl«y,  Dartuioutii  College. 
Daniel  Hough,  Dartmouth  College. 

I  &  J. 
Medefer  Tngersoll,  Hanover,  Nev/  Hampshire. 
Nathan  Jolmson,  Esq.  Hartford,  Connecticut. 

K. 
A,  Kingsbury,  Hartford,  Connecticut, 
Walter  R.  Kibi>s,  Esq.  Somers,  Treasurer  of  the  State, 
A.sa  Keves,  Dartmouth  College, 


StBSCRIBERS'  NAMES.  35,) 

L. 

Bliphalet  Lyman,  Fryeburgh,  District  Mainci 
Valentine  Little,  Daitmoutli  College. 
Niel  iVl'Lane,  Dartmouth  Colleee. 

Rev.  William  INIorrison,  Londonderry,  New  Hampshire. 

Rev.  Tliomas  Merrill,  Middlebury,  Vei-niont. 

Charles  Marsh,  Esq.  Woodstock,  Vermont. 

William  F.  Morrison,  Londonderry,  New  Ilampshire. 

Capt.  Samuel  M'Clure,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 

Walter  Mitchell,  Esq.  Harttord,  Connecticut. 

William  Mcseiey,  Esq.  Hartford,  Connecticut. 

John  Mix,  Farming  ton,  Connecticut. 

Nathaniel  Merrill,  Candidate  tor  the  Gospel  Miaistry*, 

Joel  IVIann,  Dartmouth  College. 

Stephen  W.  Marston,  Dartmouth  College^ 

John  Merrill,  Dartmouth  College, 

James  Miltimore,  Dartmouth  College. 

N. 
Benjamin  Niles,  Dartmouth  College. 

P. 
Philip  Page,  Fryeburgh,  District  Maine. 
Isaac  Partridge,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire, 
James  Poole,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
Serens  Peitibone,  Esq.  Siin^bury,  Connecticut. 
Noah  A.  Phelps,  jun.  Esq.  Hartford,  Conned icut. 
John  J.  Peters,  Hebron,  District  Maine. 
Eleazar  Pomeroy,  jim.  Coventry. 
Eleazar  Wheelock  Phelps,  Esq.  Stafford. 
George  Jeffrey  Patten,  A.  M.  Hartford,  Connecticut.  Prrvepi-or  of 

the  Literary  School,  eight  copies. 
Jeremiah  Perley,  Esq,  Halioweli,  District  Maine. 
Joseph  Perry,  Dartmouth  College. 
Daniel  Poor,  Dartmouth  College. 
Benjamin  K.  Pierce,  Dartmouth  College. 

R. 
James  W.  Ripley,  Esq.  Fryeburgh,  District  Maine. 
Rev.  Joseph  Rowell,  Cornish,  New  Hampshire. 
Samuel  H.  G.  Rowley,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
Jonathan  P.  Rice,  A.  B.  East  Windsor,  Connecticut. 
Rev.  Henry  A,  Rowland.  Windsor,  Vermont. 
Rev.  Thomas  Robbins,  East  Windsor,  Connecricat. 
Edward  C.  Reed,  Dartmouth  College. 

S. 
Rev.  John  Smith,  Salem,  New  Hampshire. 
J.  Lord  Skinner,  Esq.  Hartford,  Connecticut. 
John  Sargeant,  Es([.  W  indsor,  Vermont. 
Thomas  Samuel  Seymour.  Esq.  Stafford. 
Eli^ha  Stearns,  Esq.  Tolland,  Connecticut, 
^Ir.  Elijah  Smith,  Tolland,  Connecticut. 
John  Scott,  Dartmout'i  College. 
Jabez  Sargeant,  Duriinoulh  College. 
Thomas  Searle,  Dartmouth  College. 
Jason  Steel;  Dartmouth  College." 


^33S  SXIBSCftlBERS'  NAMES, 

T, 

Shubael  Tripp,  Hebron,  District  Maine. 
Henry  Terry,  Esq.  liartibi-d,  Cuaiieclicut. 
Samuel  Tudor,  juu.  llarttbrd,  Connecticut. 
Mr.  Oliver  Tudor,  East  Windsor,  (,'oniiecticut. 
Willard  Thayer,  Dartmouili  College. 
Stephen  Thurston,  GolFstown,  jSew  Hampshire. 

W. 
Samuel  Puinatn  Waldo,  Esq.  East  VVindsor,  Connecticut, 
William  \\\    Woodward,  m   behalf  of  the  Trustees  ot"  DartraoutH. 

College,  fifty  copies. 
Bezael  Woodward,  Hanover,  New  Hamj)sliire. 
Wdliam  W.  Woodward,  ilanover,  ISeu'  Hampshire., 
Henry  Woodward,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
Chester  Wright,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
Kev.  Abijah  Wines,  Newport,  llhode  Island. 
Ivev.  James  W.  W^oodvvard,  Noiwich,  Vermont. 
James  Wheelock.  Esq.  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
Aaron  Wright,  Hanover,  New  Hampshire. 
James  R.  Wlieelock,  Hanover  New  Hampshire. 
David  Wier,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 
Robert  Wier,  Boston,  Massachusetts. 
Mr.  Elisha  Wolcott,  ^lontreal. 
Jewett  Walbridge,  Randolph,  Vermont. 
Thomas  S.  Williams,  Esq.  Hartford,  Connecticut. 
Horace  W'adswoith,  Dej)uty  Sheritf",  Hartford,  Connecticut; 
Rodolpiius  Woodworth,  Esq.  Willington. 
Calvin  Willey,  Esq..  Tolland,  Connecticut. 
Ma).  Henry  Watson,  East  Windsor,  Connecticut. 
Saniuel  S.  Wilde,  Esq.  Hallowed,  District  Maine.. 
Asa  WiUey,  Esq.  Eihngton,  Connecticut. 
Samuel  Putnam  Waldo,  Pomfret,  Connecticut/ 
Asa  Wilde,  Dartmouth  College. 
Levi  Woodbury,  Dartmouth  College, 
John  Wilde,  Dartmouth  College. 
Solomon  Whipple,  Dartmouth  College* 
Moses  Whitney,  Dartmouth  College. 
John  Whipple,  Dartmouth  College. 
Edwin  A  White,  Dartmouth  College. 
Jamei  M'  K.  Wilkins,  Dartmouth  C^ollege. 

Z. 
William  Ziegler,  Dartmouth  College. 


Errata  et  adenJu. 

Page  100,  10  lines  from  the  bottom,  (or  one  at  Dartmouth,  read  three. 

Page  116,  7  lines  from  bottom,  between  odvavced  his,  insert  of. 

Page  137,  add.  The  i?tata  of  New  Hanij)shire  granted  in  1807,  a  tract 
of  good  lani-l,  six  miles  square.  In  1809,  they  granted  ^34.50  to  ereot, 
a,  building  for  the  medical  department. 

Page  i;38,  for  otiier  considerable  trrict^,  read  cue  hundred  acres — and  7 
lines  from  the  bottom,  for^bur  read  three. 

Page  1.53,  6  lines  from  fclie  top,_for  th.ird  JVedaCidat/,  read  the  first  Tt'tvi^ 
fre&duy  aj'ter  the  fourth  Tuesday. 


DATE  DUE 

M4Y  Z 

76 

1 

Hf^-e^W' 

mm^>m 

L 

CAYLORD 

PfllNTEO  IN  U.S.A. 

1^ 


